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Family Nutrition Program

What is the WVU Extension Family Nutrition Program (FNP)?

The Family Nutrition Program is comprised of numerous nutrition, food and physical activity projects designed to help limited resource families, youths, and adults improve their health. FNP targets risk factors associated with obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension and other chronic diseases. FNP encourages the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors by:

  • Teaching nutrition education using the USDA’s MyPlate and Dietary Guidelines
  • Providing food demonstrations
  • Improving access and availability to local community resources
  • Helping participants to stretch their food dollars, plan menus and read food labels
  • Encouraging participants to devote more time to being physically active

Target Audiences

FNP targets limited resource adults living at or below 185% of the federal poverty level and youths at schools, groups or summer camps where more than 50% of participants are eligible for the free/reduced lunch program.

Program Delivery

The Family Nutrition Program is located in more than 40 counties with:
  • Approximately 50 Nutrition Outreach Instructors and Health Educators
  • 50 County Extension Agents
  • More than 2,000 skilled partners

Programs range from the direct delivery of nutrition information to social marketing campaigns.

Appetite for a Healthier Future logo

Appetite for a Healthier Future

Appetite for a Healthier Future helps those experiencing food insecurity in West Virginia's most vulnerable communities.

Amie Tutor, health educator and host of the Learn, Grow, Eat & Go television show produced for West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Direct Education

Where available, get education locally in your community, direct from the Family Nutrition Program.

Eating Smart, Being Active
cherry tomatoes at farmers market

Food Access

We're working to improve access to fresh foods with a particular focus on food deserts–areas lacking available essential fruits, vegetables, and more.

FARMacy
woman washing tomato at the sink

Outreach

Our outreach programs reach thousands of West Virginians each year and help to change peoples' outlook and habits relating to food and nutrition.

Food of the Month

Grow This: WV Garden Challenge

Grow This! West Virginia Garden Challenge by the West Virginia University Extension Service Family Nutrition Program.

The garden challenge is a way for individuals, families, and groups to grow food, share tips and ideas, and support gardening in our state. Experienced gardeners, people new to gardening, and everyone in between is welcome to be part of the Grow This! Challenge.


Sign-ups to receive seeds from the 2024 Grow This! Challenge have closed. But you can still follow along with this year's program and participate in our contests. 

Learn more about the Grow This! W.Va. Garden Challenge


Upcoming Events

No events available at this time.

Browse All Family Nutrition Program Events

Upcoming Events

No events available at this time.

Browse All Family Nutrition Program Events

Disclaimer
University Disclaimer Programs and activities offered by the West Virginia University Extension Service are available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, political beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, and marital or family status. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Director, Cooperative Extension Service, West Virginia University.

SNAP-ED Disclaimer
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

EFNEP Disclaimer
This work is/was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the USDA. Universities are also encouraged to include the NIFA identifier to show that funds for the project originated from NIFA.

Funding
This material was funded in part or in whole by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—SNAP.

This material was funded in part or in whole by Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program – EFNEP.