The UMES Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) program, is celebrating 50 years of providing life-changing information geared toward reducing the disproportionate incidences of nutrition insecurity among low-income populations. According to NIFA, nutrition insecurity is characterized by poor nutrition, limited physical activity, and unsafe food practices and EFNEP is at the forefront of nutrition education.
EFNEP programs are available in every state, U.S. territory and the District of Columbia. They are each a part of the Cooperative Extension programs that are housed within the nation’s 76 land-grant universities. The programs reach some 200,000 low-income adults and 450,000 low-income youth in rural and urban communities each year.
At UMES, Dr. Virginie Zoumenou leads the program. With her team, she is inviting the campus community and the community at large to celebrate by way of two separate events on Wednesday, September 25. An open house is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Richard A. Henson Center, Room 1116. Participants will find education stations, free food and drink samples, door prizes, a bike that makes smoothies and more. Later in the day, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., a dinner and awards ceremony will be held.
Both events are free and open to the campus community, faculty, staff and students, as well as to the tri-county community.
For more information, please call Elizabeth Bloom at 410-651-6218.
