EFNEP and Steps to Health Responds in Multiple Ways to Needs of Community During COVID-19 Crisis

EFNEP in collaboration with SNAP-Ed has also worked to distribute food safety information and recipes through the food distribution site. EFNEP has worked with Extension IT to produce Facebook live trainings for both EFNEP and FCS. Additionally, prior to COVID-19, they created 6 online lessons in both English and Spanish, all available nationally for program distribution.

EFNEP has responded to various needs across counties. Bilingual EFNEP educators in Wake County have been able to translate COVID-19 food distribution resources for various groups in Wake County. Rhonda Church has worked with Ashe County elementary schools producing short videos to share with teachers who can then share with youth. Della Hicks, has enrolled adult participants in EFNEP FB live classes in the Pasquotank County. Rebekah Benton, with Columbus County, has created videos related to food distribution sites hours of operation and what they provide, meeting the needs of food access and personal safety. Angie Lawrence has partnered with 4-H and Horticulture Agents to provide resources through backpacks. Backpacks include weekly highlights with information about different vegetables along with recipes and how to grow them.

Kathryn Hoy along with Steps to Health and Nutrition Educators have developed online content to be shared with agents for use in their communities. Topics include physical activity, food storage and pantry efficiency, eating with allergies, cooking substitutes, children’s content, general nutrition, mindful eating, and more.

For more on EFNEP’s response to COVID-19, visit www.ncefnep.org or email, Lorelei Jones, lorelei_jones@ncsu.edu. For more about Steps to Health, visit https://ncstepstohealth.ces.ncsu.edu/ or email, Jayne McBurney at: jmcubill@ncsu.edu