EFNEP, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, is an integral part of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System's Family and Consumer Sciences. EFNEP teaches low-income audiences how to improve their dietary practices and become more effective managers of available resources:

Four distinguishing features of EFNEP are:

• A targeted audience of low-income families and youth.
• Teaching performed by Agent Assistants and/or volunteers trained and supervised by Extension professionals.
• Intensive instruction for individuals and/or small groups.
• innovative program delivery methods to expand clientele participation, increase retention of nutrition knowledge, and improve program effectiveness.
  

The adult component of EFNEP focuses on educational programs to enhance the quality of the families' nutrition.  Once graduated from EFNEP, families should have other opportunities to participate in other Extension programs.

The youth component of EFNEP focuses on providing food nutrition education to contribute to personal development of youth from low-income families.

Extension has the responsibility to provide additional educational experiences for the EFNEP audience. the use of EFNEP materials in other programs can contribute to interaction and serve as a bridge between Extension programs.