The Nutrition Education Working Group (a sub-group of the Committee for Activity and Nutrition) is developing a resource directory of nutrition education resources in our community, as well as supporting nutrition and cooking education classes. Partners for expanding nutrition and cooking education in Henderson County include:

• Henderson County Cooperative Extension (lead)
• Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas (support)
• Henderson County Department of Public Health (collaborate)

Nutrition and Cooking Education was identified by the Committee for Activity and Nutrition as an action, that when combined with other actions in our community, has a reasonable chance of making a difference in physical activity and nutrition in Henderson County. This is an ongoing program in our community.

Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas and Henderson County Cooperative Extension collaborated to create and fund an Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) position. This position was filled in November 2021 and is responsible for conducting nutrition and cooking education classes for all ages throughout the community. Classes are free and focus on diffent aspects of healthy living including using fresh produce, kitchen safety, saving money at the store, finding affordable fresh local foods, physical activity, and more.

The customers for this strategy are children and families, and the program aims to make a difference at the individual and interpersonal levels. Implementation will take place in various locations in Henderson County.

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) hosted a variety of FREE nutrition and cooking education classes throughout 2022, engaging families, adults and children. Classes with differing focuses were offered at various times/days throughout the year. Youth were particularly engaged through a partnership with Henderson County Public Schools and EFNEP Summer Camps. Learn more about EFNEP's program offerings in 2022 HERE. 

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNP) hosted a variety of free nutrition and cooking education classes throughout 2023, engaging families, adults and children. Classes with differing focuses were offered at various times and days throughout the year. Youth were particularly engaged through a partnership with Henderson County Public Schools and EFNEP Summer Camps. In 2023 the program was extended to two Head Start facilities and several Henderson County Library locations. Learn more about EFNEP's program offerings HERE.