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California EFNEP

EFNEP Impact

California EFNEP is making a positive impact in the lives of low-income families. Participants are making positive changes toward healthy living. They also report an increased knowledge of how to make healthy food and exercise choices with a limited budget.

Family Food Savings! 
Did you know that families using skills learned in EFNEP classes saved money on food costs? Savings averaged:
$42.90 a month and $514.80 annually.

A bowl of vegetable soup, two kids doing stretching exercises, and a bag of groceries

EFNEP: Empowering Healthy Communities Across California

The California Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) promotes nutrition, physical activity, and healthier lifestyles for income-eligible youth and adults. With strong partnerships in local communities, EFNEP drives transformative impact on the lives of individuals, families, and households, supporting long-term health and well-being. 

EFNEP Makes a Real Difference

Our Impact

  • 97% of Adults and 84% of Youth improved their diet quality
  • 84% of Adults and 58% of Youth improved their physical activity behaviors
  • 95% of Adults practice better food resource management
  • 58% of Youth improved their ability to prepare nutritious food
  • 82% of Adults and 57% of Youth improved their food safety habits

Financial Impact

  • Collectively, California EFNEP participants saved $1,557,785 on food costs
  • Families saved an average of $42.90 per month and $514.80 annually on food costs using skills learned in EFNEP classes.

 

A section of the printable infographic that provides the same information as listed on this webpage.

Our Program

  • EFNEP delivers lessons in 19 counties throughout California
  • 9-lesson series for adults
  • 6-lesson series for youth

Our Participants

  • 3,026 families and 9,661 youth received EFNEP lessons

Serving Diverse Communities

  • 60% White
  • 23% Not Provided
  • 8% Asian
  • 3% American Indian or Alaskan Native
  • 4% Black or African American
  • 12% Multiple races
  • <1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
  • 77% Hispanic / 23% Non-Hispanic

Classes offered in

  • English
  • Spanish
  • Russian
  • Hmong

California EFNEP Success

Youth Program

A group of 4th and 5th grade students smiling at the camera while showing off the healthy snacks they made during EFNEP class.

Youth EFNEP inspires lasting improvements in daily nutrition

Fourth and fifth grade students participated in EFNEP nutrition lessons with hands-on recipe experiences made possible by Micah House. A favorite granola recipe was so well loved that Micah House added it to their regular snack rotation. This partnership helped introduce healthy foods and inspired lasting improvements in daily nutrition.     San Bernardino County

Safer meals

Boy smiling and displaying the food he made during EFNEP classes.

 

"I told my mom that it was safer to thaw the meat she was going to use to make dinner in the refrigerator instead of letting it sit in the sink."    Alameda County

5th grade girl using safe knife skills to chop vegetables during EFNEP class.

Adult Program

Transformational Skills

Four mothers with their young children displaying the graduation certificates they earned in EFNEP classes.

 

A mother participating in EFNEP at Olivewood Elementary School transformed what she learned in class into immediate action at home. Equipped with practical nutrition and food safety skills, she began preparing healthier meals, introducing new foods her family now enjoys, and reducing food waste. She credits EFNEP with strengthening her family’s overall health and well-being—turning small, informed changes into lasting impact.     Orange County

 

Changes can improve health

Adult EFNEP participants holding the cookbook used during lessons.

In San Joaquin County, a mother discovered how portion sizes directly impact her health—and how different foods affect her blood sugar levels. With this new understanding, she began making more informed choices at meals, gaining greater confidence in managing her health.

 

 

 

Other Resources

       UC ANR Impact Map

      National EFNEP Annual Report

Accessibility

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program at the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive web experience for all users. While we strive to meet accessibility standards and best practices, we are aware that some of the files linked/embedded here may not be fully accessible and are working to resolve these issues. If you encounter an accessibility barrier on this or need content in an alternative or remediated accessible format, please contact caefnep@ucanr.edu. We will work to address requests in a timely manner.