Ellyn Satter, one of the nation's leading nutrition authorities, is the keynote speaker for the meeting and will address NEP personnel and other guests Jan. 30 at 1:30 p.m. Satter will discuss what it means to be a healthy eater, how parents can raise healthy eaters and what children need to do to be successful with healthy eating.

The Extension NEP program helps food stamp recipients and those eligible for food stamps to have healthier lifestyles by making better food choices with limited food budgets. The program is conducted in all 67 counties in the state and reaches more than 200,000 individuals annually.

NEP-run educational programs teach nutrition basics, food safety, shopping economics and how to strengthen the family bonds through mealtime unity.

NEP agents, agent assistants and program assistants use a wide variety of teaching tools and methods to help clients learn. Lessons may be taught on a weekly basis for about six weeks, at a onetime meeting, through food demonstrations, colorful displays and exhibits, nutrition games or by an interactive puppet named Chef Combo.

NEP is funded in partnership with the Food Stamp Division of the Alabama Department of Human Resources, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

For more information on the NEP meeting, contact Sondra Parmer (sparmer@aces.edu), NEP project manager, at (334) 844-2231.