The average American student receives less than 8 hours of nutrition education per school year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC is calling on schools to increase nutrition education, but that’s easier said than done for budget-constrained institutions.
Several federal agencies offer funding programs to support nutrition education. In addition to programs available through the Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA), educators should be familiar with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
NIFA & Nutrition Education
NIFA, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, traces its history back to the late 19th Century with the USDA’s establishment of the Office of Experiment Stations. NIFA’s preceding agencies evolved over the course of 100+ years before officially becoming the National Institute of Food and Agriculture in 2008. Today, NIFA supports programs that “ensure the long-term viability of agriculture while advancing production agriculture, food and nutrition security, and agriculture’s workforce needs.”
Central to NIFA’s mission is its close alignment with the United States’ Land-grant University (LGU) System. The University of California system, Texas A&M University, and the University of Florida are well-known LGU institutions.
The following NIFA programs are particularly relevant for nutrition education funding:
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP): Established in 1969, EFNEP is the United States’ first federal nutrition education program that assists hundreds of thousands of low-income people per year. According to NIFA, “EFNEP combines hands-on learning, applied science, and program data to ensure program effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability.” In 2024, NIFA received $70 million to conduct EFNEP through LGU partners.
Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Grant Program: CYFAR allocates congressionally appropriated funds to LGU extensions for programs supporting at-risk families, children, and youth. For example, the Children, Youth, and Families at Risk Supportable Community Projects (CYFAR SCP) funds educational programs that align with local needs. Although applicants must be 1862, 1890, or 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, NIFA’s program overview states that award recipients may “subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply, provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project.”
Partner with Rainbow Chefs Academy
Looking to incorporate nutrition education into your school, school district, or youth organization’s curriculum? Contact us to explore partnership opportunities with Rainbow Chefs Academy.