Overview of the Adult Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and Its Operation in California

Pursuant to a congressional request, information was provided on the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture's Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the extent to which EFNEP has been coordinated with the Food Stamp Program and State and local programs. In preparing the study, GAO investigated the management of EFNEP on the national level and related programs on the State and local level in California. EFNEP has the potential for improving and maintaining health through better diets and for saving money through knowledgeable food purchases. Although inadequate management information precluded a determination of the specific degree of effectiveness achieved by EFNEP, several areas were identified in which the program could be improved. Specifically, the program suffered from weak program administration, inadequate evidence to demonstrate the program's effectiveness, and dwindling funds. GAO believed that EFNEP managers should (1) develop communication and disseminate alternatives to offset budget constraints; (2) develop standards and evaluation tools to measure the program's success; (3) improve administrative practices; and (4) improve coordination within EFNEP and with other nutrition programs, particularly on the State and local level.