LaGronda Mitchell, after-school instructor and cafeteria staff member at Lincoln Elementary YMCA southeastern, is making a big impact in the lives of local youth through hands-on nutrition education.

After completing Families Eating Smart and Moving More and Camp Cook Play training with the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), Lesane taught the Camp Cook Play curriculum to 21 students in the school’s after-school program.

Students learned about healthy eating, food safety, physical activity, and how to make smarter choices when it comes to beverages and snacks. LaGronda reported that students looked forward to the engaging lessons each week. One success story includes a student who had never eaten vegetables before but began eating them consistently during the course of the program.

LaGronda’s commitment didn’t stop with her students—she also applied what she learned to her own life. “I’m more aware of making smart beverage choices, and I really understand now why it’s important to choose whole grains over refined at least half the time,” she shared.

Programs like Camp Cook Play demonstrate how EFNEP not only educates youth but also empowers adults working with children to model healthy behaviors. These efforts are creating ripple effects in schools, homes, and communities throughout Brunswick County.

About EFNEP
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a USDA-funded program delivered through NC State Extension that helps limited-resource youth and families learn to eat smart, move more, and make healthier choices every day.

To learn more about EFNEP programs in Brunswick County or to get involved, contact Angie Lawrence, EFNEP Nutrition Educator at angie_lawrence@ncsu.edu or (910) 253-2610.