The Wisconsin Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) helps youth and families with limited resources build knowledge and skills to make lasting changes that support healthy eating and active living.

Wisconsin EFNEP is rooted in strong partnerships with community-based organizations and agencies dedicated to improving health and well-being. Through these collaborations, peer educators deliver hands-on nutrition education that empowers participants to make positive choices for themselves and their families.

EFNEP currently serves six urban counties in southern and southeastern Wisconsin: Milwaukee, Dane, Racine, Kenosha, Waukesha, and Rock. Local partners provide host sites, assist with recruitment and retention, and often contribute resources such as food samples or supplies that enhance the learning experience.

Wisconsin EFNEP primarily reaches families with young children and youth from households with low income.

Caring mom and her son donate items during food drive Beautiful mid adult Asian woman and her elementary age son donate fresh fruit to homeless shelters.

Whom We Serve

Individuals and families with limited income

Community leaders and partners in schools, coalitions, childcare centers, farmers’ markets, food pantries, and other groups focused on boosting access to healthy food options and strengthening local food systems.

Ways We Help

Direct Education Classes

Community Resources for Partners and Participants on Nutrition, Food Security, Food Safety, and Physical Activity

Spanish bilingual nutrition education with people sitting at a table.

How It Works

We support

We support community partners and leaders with evidence-based strategies and curricula that uplift local strengths alongside university resources for healthier communities.

We teach

Community partners invite Extension Nutrition Educators to teach nutrition classes for individuals in local schools, community centers, churches, food pantries, and other settings throughout Southeastern Wisconsin counties.

We improve

We improve access to healthy options through coalition efforts and policies, systems, and environmental supports. We leverage local experience to help make healthy food choices and physical activity practical and available to all community members.

We build

We build connections. Extension Nutrition Educators are hired locally and have a unique understanding, personal connection, and strategic collaboration within the communities they serve. We connect our community partners with resources and with one another.

We help

We help communities achieve better health outcomes. Individuals and families gain education and improved access to healthy, local, affordable food.

Quick Links

For Community Partners

Nutrition Education Impacts

FoodShare Benefits Information

For Individuals

Explore our educational videos

Information on Foodshare Wisconsin

Apply for FoodShare Wisconsin

Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding this program in Wisconsin, please contact us through the info below:

Kathryn Boryc Smock

FoodWIse State Program Manager

kathryn.boryc@wisc.edu

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

usda.gov/non-discrimination-statement

This work is supported by the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, project award no.NI24EFNEPXXXG033, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.