EFNEP: Yellowstone County

Published: 2022
By Melody Harris

In the 2022 federal grant cycle, the Yellowstone County Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) received $161,948 to support a total of 2.25 positions, programs including supplies, class food samples, employee salaries, and travel expenses to reach communities throughout the county. There are currently three nutrition educators – Lynn Olson, Debbie Holman, and Melody Harris. Positive behavioral changes for in-person and online adult classes resulted in: • 98% improved diets by eating more fruits, red, orange, and dark green vegetables, drinking fewer sugary drinks, and cooking more dinners at home. • 81% improved food safety practices: washing hands before preparing food, washing all items and surfaces after cutting raw meat or seafood, not thawing frozen food at room temperature, and using a meat thermometer. • 71% increased physical activity behaviors by exercising for at least 30 minutes, doing workouts to build and strengthen muscles, or making small changes to be more active. • 49% learned to budget food purchases to avoid not eating less than they wanted so there was more food for their family, or not having enough money to get food for the family. Through youth programs in schools and summer programs, positive behavioral changes in youth include 83% of kids improving their ability to choose foods according to Federal Dietary Recommendations, 53% using safe food handling practices more often, and 48% being more physically active.