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Pender County extension reports nutrition‑education reach in schools and communities
Summary
Pender County EFNEP educator Cindy Rivenbark told commissioners EFNEP reached more than 1,000 youth with improvements in dietary intake, physical activity and food‑safety practices; staff described partnerships, curricula, and plans for more adult classes and school offerings.
Cindy Rivenbark, the Pender County EFNEP nutrition educator, briefed the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 5 about the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program's local activities and outcomes.
Rivenbark said EFNEP is a federal nutrition education program delivered through land‑grant university extension services that helps low‑income families and youth learn meal planning, food budgeting, food safety, and physical‑activity habits. She told the board she has graduated more than 1,000 youth across kindergarten through 12th grade in 2025 and reported outcome statistics from the most recent program year for youth: she cited figures such as "90 percent have improved their dietary intake," "67 percent now practice daily physical activity," and "74 percent have improved their food safety practices." For adults, she said she has graduated more than 30 participants and partners with groups including Pender County Christian Services and Willard Outreach.
Rivenbark described school and community partnerships, Folklore‑style lesson titles used for younger classes, seasonal activities (blueberry festival), and practical takeaways for participants (measuring cups, cutting boards, thermometers). She said new classes start at Pender Early College in January and encouraged residents to enroll in free classes. Commissioners thanked her for the outreach and for helping youth gain food‑safety credentials such as ServSafe when applicable.
