Penn State Nutrition Links

Elise Gurgevich, State Coordinator

Nutrition Links manages the administration of both the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Pennsylvania Nutrition Education Program (PA NEP) for Penn State Cooperative Extension. Both programs are federally funded to provide nutrition education to Pennsylvania residents with limited incomes. EFNEP programming is targeted to youth and caretakers of young children, while PA NEP programming may target anyone, of any age, who is eligible for food stamps. Nutrition Links does not supply free food or food stamps, but offers activities that develop the knowledge and skills to achieve a healthful diet on a limited budget.

Nutrition Links conducts nutrition education in all three of the PA NEP programming tracks: adult/senior, school age and pre-school. Nutrition education advisers (NEAs), who are part of the county extension staff, deliver nutrition education. The paraprofessional NEAs have connections within the community as well as an ability to build rapport with the program participants.They also serve as role models for the participants. NEAs receive training on nutrition education and are supervised by extension educators.

Nutrition Links’ adult/senior programming covers food preparation, meal planning, food storage and sanitation, shopping skills, nutrition for family members and maintaining a healthy weight. Classes are taught in small groups and often as part of a series. Nutrition Links conducts adult/senior nutrition education in senior centers, housing developments, food pantries and various other community locations in eighteen counties.

Nutrition Links also facilitates school-age programming in eight counties. Youth programs are conducted in schools and after-school programs during the school year, as well as in summer programs. NEAs lead and teachers assist with programs during the school year in classrooms and cafeterias. The youth programs include food preparation, food safety, snack choices, nutrition and health and fitness. Lessons focus on the basics of MyPyramid and feature activities that help the students apply the information in each nutrition lesson. Whenever possible, children taste-test fruits and vegetables so they can have the opportunity to try new food items or preparation methods.

In May 2006, the school-age program in Delaware County also conducted assembly programs as a way for the students to show fellow classmates and teachers all that they had learned about nutrition during the year. In one school, classrooms were assigned a section of MyPyramid and asked to create a brief presentation on their section. Classes wrote and performed songs, poems and plays; one class even developed a mock lesson led by the students.

Nutrition fairs conducted in the Dauphin County Harrisburg School District wrapped up the year. Students visited several educational stations that provided activities focused on various nutrition topics within MyPyramid. Some of the topics addressed sugar content in common drinks, fats in fast food and the placement of food items on MyPyramid.

Pre-school programming is conducted primarily in Head Start classrooms and centers. These nutrition education lessons teach children about the variety of fruits and vegetables and the sections of MyPyramid, and provide an opportunity for them to try a new food item. Proper hand washing is also taught.