The Nutrition Education Program (NEP) in Nebraska helps families on a limited budget make healthier food choices and choose physically active lifestyles by acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behavior changes necessary to improve their health. NEP is free to all participants who meet income guidelines. NEP is funded through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education Division (SNAP-Ed) and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). Together with community partnerships, NEP strives to improve the health of Nebraskans.
What is SNAP-Ed?
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) is an evidence-based program that helps people lead healthy, active lives. SNAP-Ed teaches people how to make their SNAP dollars stretch, how to shop for and cook healthy meals, and how to stay physically active. SNAP-Ed partners with state and local organizations to meet people where they are. SNAP-Ed initiatives include nutrition education classes and efforts to improve policies, systems, and the environment (PSE) of communities. Our PSE strategies include school wellness, community and school gardens, healthy food pantries, and child care center wellness.
What is EFNEP?
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) uses education to support participants' efforts toward self-sufficiency, nutritional health, and well-being. EFNEP combines hands-on learning, applied science, and program data to ensure program effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability.
2023 Impacts
Nebraska SNAP-Ed reached 74,659 individuals through direct education, environmental strategies, and indirect education. Adults participated in Eating Smart Moving More classes, which resulted in improvements in nutrition and physical activity-related behaviors. Youth participated in nutrition and physical activity-related programs and showed positive intentions, knowledge, and behavior changes in nutrition and physical activity. Implementing The Dish: Real Talk About Food social media campaign increased indirect education reach. PSE strategies were offered through the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC), Growing Together Nebraska, and Double Up Food Bucks.
