Overview of FNP
USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) was established August 8, 1969, to administer the food assistance programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The agency's goals are to provide needy people with access to a more nutritious diet, to improve the eating habits of the nation's children, and to stabilize farm prices through the distribution of surplus foods. FNS works in partnership with the States. States determine most administrative details regarding distribution of food benefits and eligibility of participants and FNS provides funding to cover most of the States' administrative costs.
The North Dakota State University Extension Service Family Nutrition Program (FNP) is funded by Mountain Plains Region Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of Agriculture. In North Dakota, FNP is a partnership between the Department of Human Services and the NDSU Extension Service in an effort to provide nutrition education to families and individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). FNP began in North Dakota in the winter of 1994-1995.
The delivery of educational programs at the local level is done by the Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Science, and by a Nutrition Education Assistant/Agent, a position funded with project monies. Monies available to a particular county unit are determined by a reimbursement of state, county and other local in-kind resources.
FNP targets SNAP participants and eligibles; disseminates educational information through public service announcements, basic food and nutrition demonstrations, newsletters, fact sheets, individual consultations, and group educational sessions with displays and videotapes; and uses curriculum materials selected for the audience's unique diversity. FNP differs from the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) in that EFNEP targets low-income families with young children; intensively instructs groups of persons over a period of time; and "graduates" persons who complete a defined educational curriculum.
The NDSU Extension Service has the responsibility to provide educational experiences for the FNP audience. The use of FNP materials in other Extension programs can contribute to interaction and can serve as a bridge between Extension programs.
The objective of the Family Nutrition Program is to help SNAP participants/eligibles acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes and changed behavior necessary for maximizing resources to achieve nutritionally sound diets.
A participant in the FNP program can expect to learn how to:
- Use the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA’s MyPyramid.
- Use good meal management practices.
- Use food shopping strategies to cut costs.
- Gain knowledge and skill in food selection and preparation.
- Use safe food handling, storage and preparation practices.
The project monies are distributed by the Food and Nutrition Service through the North Dakota Department of Human Services (NDDHS) for nutrition education, exclusively for SNAP recipients/eligibles.
North Dakota requests a waiver from this exclusivity. Waiver approval allows North Dakota FNP to involve other low income individuals in addition to SNAP recipients/eligibles. This waiver is requested annually.
Educational programs target SNAP participants and eligibles and must be administered so individuals are not discriminated against.
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