Optimizing Nutrition and Health Outcomes through Agriculture and Food and Nutrition Education: Examples from EFNEP and Partners

Tuesday, July 24 | 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Nicollet A-C

Moderator: Helen Chipman, PhD, RDN, Institute Of Food Safety And Nutrition, National Institute Of Food And Agriculture (NIFA), USDA

Speakers: Shewana Hairston-McSwain, MS, North Caroline A&T State University, Cooperative Extension Program; Christine Hradek, MPH, Iowa State University Extension And Outreach; Lorelei Jones, M.Ed., North Carolina State University; Mallory Koenings, PhD, RDN, National Institute Of Food And Agriculture, USDA; Nicole Owens, PhD, Family, Youth And Community Sciences Department, University Of Florida; Jeffrey Steiner, PhD, Division Director For Plant Production In The Institute Of Food Production And Sustainability

As food and communication systems become more complex, and people are more removed from agriculture within the food system, confusion surrounding healthy food choices has grown. Nutrition educators help consumers overcome this confusion.

Attendees will learn how the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is forging creative partnerships with agriculture, healthcare, foodbanks, and others, all working synergistically to expand nutrition education impacts and improve healthy food choices of low-income families and youth. The audience will use polling and mobile apps in this interactive session and leave equipped to increase community engagement and healthy nutrition outcomes through coordination and technology.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify influences that agriculture, consumer demands, research, education, and extension have on the national food system.
2. Describe how EFNEP, a national nutrition education program, has partnered with agriculture, health, and other traditional and non-traditional sectors to improve nutrition education outreach, healthy food access, and nutrition and health impacts of low-income families.
3. Determine two ways you (attendees) might join other nutrition professionals, the agricultural sector, and/or other partners to build connections, coordinate efforts, and utilize emerging technology and other resources to improve consumer understanding and access to healthy foods.