Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
Teen Cuisine is an evidenced-based cooking and nutrition education curriculum for limited-resource, middle school youth through the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). Offered in school and community settings, participants are taught in small groups, face-to-face or remotely. Referrals, school partnerships, and agency collaborations are welcome.
Developed by Virginia Cooperative Extension, Teen Cuisine helps teens become self-sufficient in the kitchen while teaching healthy habits that last a lifetime through a series of six lessons. Each lesson includes a variety of activities on nutrition, food safety, food preparation, and physical activity. Typically, class sessions last approximately 45 minutes utilizing interactive PowerPoints, gamification, and hands-on activities. Youth learn how to prepare simple, healthy foods they can make for themselves and their family members at home.
In Alabama, EFNEP modifies the Teen Cuisine curriculum to teach simpler concepts and activities to youth in grade 5 (Teen Cuisine) while teaching more challenging concepts and activities to youth in grades 6 – 8 (Teen Cuisine Encore).
Lesson Titles and Topics
- Lesson 1: Eat Smart
- Topics: MyPlate, Variety of Foods, Knife Safety
- Lesson 2: You Are What You Eat
- Topics: Food Labels, Portion Sizes
- Lesson 3: Power Up with Breakfast
- Topics: Breakfast, Whole Grains, Lean Protein
- Lesson 4: Find the Fat
- Topics: Go, Slow, and Whoa Method, Saturated Fat, Safe Cooking Temperatures
- Lesson 5: Kick the Sugar Habit
- Topics: Added Sugars, Empty Calories
- Lesson 6: Snack Attack
- Topics: Nutrient-dense Snacks and Beverages
Contact your local Extension office for more information. Follow Alabama EFNEP on Facebook. Text EFNEP to 555888 to receive nutrition tips. Message and data rates may apply.
Teen Cuisine Downloads
| Thumbnail | Name | PDF (English) | PDF (Spanish) |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Teen Cuisine Pocket Folder, FCS-2474 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Customizable Pocket Folder, FCS-2516 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine My Physical Activity Log, FCS-2478 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Customizable Activity Log, FCS-2517 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Certificate of Recognition, FCS-2403 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Flyer, FCS-2479 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Customizable Flyer, FCS-2518 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Recipe Cards, FCS-2530 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Encore Recipe Cards, FCS-2531 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Encore Flyer, FCS-2583 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Encore Pocket Folder, FCS-2584 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Encore Certificate of Recognition, FCS-2585 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Nutrition Facts Food Label Poster, FCS-2453 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Customizable Nutrition Facts Label Poster, FCS-2503 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Nutrition Facts Food Label Handout, FCS-2594 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Plastic Bag, FCS-2504 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Water Bottle, FCS-2506 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Lunch Bag Graphic, FCS-2483 | ||
 | Teen Cuisine Stretch Band Graphic, FCS-2493 |