About Us
Purdue Extension Nutrition Education Program (NEP) is dedicated to improving the nutrition and health of Indiana’s residents. Since 1994, we have focused on limited-resource communities because we believe that zip code or income should not be a barrier to good health and wellness.
We provide free, interactive nutrition and physical fitness classes to income-eligible adults, teens, and children through both in-person and virtual learning methods.
We also partner with local governments, social service agencies, and community groups. Together, we create opportunities to increase access to healthy food and physical activity opportunities in your community.
Because we are grant-funded, all of our efforts are free. Our goal is to make the healthy choice the easy choice!
We focus on five areas: nutrition, food safety, food security (hunger), physical activity, and food resource management (stretching food dollars).
Our Nutrition Education Program Advisors address nutrition, food safety, food security, physical activity, and food resource management through personalized, fun, interactive classes. We give our participants the tools to navigate the road to good health in a safe, nurturing environment.
- SNAP recipients or SNAP-eligible individuals
- Individuals with limited resources (youth, teens, migrants, families, adult caregivers)
- Schools with 50% or more free and reduced lunch
- Communities with high poverty rates
The Purdue Extension Nutrition Education Program is funded by the USDA Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).
Yes. NEP has existed in Indiana as a part of Purdue Extension since 1994. Purdue Extension is a network of Purdue University experts with offices in all 92 Indiana counties. Extension works to build vibrant communities, strong families and profitable businesses on Main Street and at the farm gate. Learn more with this informational video.
Free Lessons
Yes. All of our programs are free for eligible recipients.
We offer the following free programs for adults and families as well as schools and after-school programs. Click on each to learn more.
Our practical, hands-on programs will help you:
- Stretch your food dollars
- Plan fast, easy and healthy meals
- Handle food safely
- Increase physical activity
- Prepare healthy snacks
- Make vegetables fun and tasty
- Find out about SNAP benefits and other community resources
- MyPlate
- Dietary guidelines
- Meal planning and budgeting
- Reading nutrition labels
- Basic food preparation
- Food safety
- Physical activity
Our caring and trained Nutrition Education Program Advisors teach the lessons.
Our lessons are great opportunities to build your skills. No cooking experience is required. Our lessons involve hands-on learning where you can practice by doing alongside other participants.
Yes! When you attend our lessons, you not only get great information, delicious food samples, and a chance to exercise, but also:
- Earn handy kitchen items like bowls, cutting boards, measuring cups/spoons and more
- Participate in live cooking demonstrations
- Sample prepared food
- Take home easy, low-cost recipes
- Learn basic food preparation skills
No. Sometimes when people see the name Purdue Extension, they get a little concerned, thinking our nutrition lessons are college level. Rest assured, they’re not! Our highly interactive lessons are fun, easy to understand and designed to help you make healthy choices.
We provide lessons in communities throughout Indiana at locations like these below. To sign up for a lesson near you—or just get more information—connect with your local Purdue Extension office.
| Senior & community centers | WIC |
| Faith-based organization | Work sites |
| Food pantries/meal sites | Libraries |
| Preschools/schools | Shelters |
| Farmers markets | Head Start |
Community Partners
If your agency serves participants who are SNAP-eligible or eligible to receive government assistance, you’re more than likely eligible to partner with the Purdue Extension Nutrition Education Program (NEP).
Our target audiences include:
- SNAP recipients or SNAP-eligible individuals
- Individuals with limited resources (youth, teens, migrants, families, adult caregivers)
- Schools with 50% or more free and reduced lunch
- Communities with high poverty rates
NEP offers four free programs to community partners, serving two groups:
- Adults and families
- Schools and after-school programs
Click here to learn more about our programs.
All of our NEP programs are free.
Eligibility
No, you do not have to be on SNAP. If you participate in programs offered by agencies like these, you’re probably eligible for SNAP-Ed:
- WIC
- Head Start
- Shelters
- Food pantries and more
No. NEP lessons are an additional resource available to you and will not affect other benefits.
For more information on SNAP, please visit the State of Indiana website: http://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/2691.htm
Use these resources to find emergency food organizations, food pantries, food banks and/or soup kitchens near you.
Community Compass: https://www.communitycompass.app/home
Indiana’s Emergency Food Resource Network:
https://www.purdue.edu/indianasefrnetwork
Feeding America
http://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank/
Use this USDA resource to find a farmers market near you:
https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/farmersmarkets
Indiana Farmers Market Directory:
https://infmcp.org/find-a-market
Here’s a helpful list from Indiana’s Emergency Food Resource Network: https://www.purdue.edu/indianasefrnetwork/Home/Directory
Visit Purdue Extension page or watch this informational video to learn more about Extension and how it can help you.
Purdue Extension is a network of Purdue University experts, with offices in all 92 Indiana counties. It works to build vibrant communities, strong families and profitable businesses on Main Street and at the farm gate.
Nutrition Education Program Advisors
Our Nutrition Education Program Advisors provide free nutrition lessons in local communities. They work with adults and families – as well as teach programs in schools and after-school programs.
Our NEP Advisors are trained extensively by Purdue University dietetic and public health professionals.
They live and work in your local community.