EFNEP Essex County, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

02/13/2026

Valentines Day is this weekend! How are you celebrating? Here are 6 Candy-Free Ideas to spruce up the holiday! 💕🥰
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¡El Día de San Valentín es este fin de semana! ¿Cómo lo vas a celebrar? ¡Aquí tienes 6 ideas sin dulces para alegrar la celebración! 💕🥰

02/04/2026

NJ SNAP Updates!

02/03/2026

It has been several weeks since we attended the 2026 RCE Annual Conference, and we continue to reflect on what a meaningful experience it was. It was truly a privilege to represent the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program as well as connect with others who are dedicated to education, outreach, and service. The EFNEP team collaborated on a poster that showcased who we are, the work we’ve accomplished, and the overall impact of our program across Essex, Passaic, Union, Middlesex, and Camden counties. The opportunity to share our impact, exchange ideas, and learn from other professionals was both inspiring and motivating, reinforcing the value of the work we do every day. 🌟

01/23/2026

Keeping an eye on this weekend's winter weather forecast? ❄️

It's a good time to brush up on tips for keeping your pantry stocked from our Ohio State University Extension experts.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/4r8xdJB

01/21/2026

Today is National Zucchini day🥒! Try making these delicious Zucchini Patties from EFNEP's very own Recipe Catalog on: https://efnep.rutgers.edu/ Let us know what you think of the recipe in the comments! Enjoy😀

01/21/2026

01/21/2026

❄️🚨 Code Blue Alert 🚨❄️

Passaic County has issued a Code Blue Alert beginning January 20, 2026 at 2:00 PM until further notice.

According to the National Weather Service, the forecasted daytime and overnight temperatures are expected to remain at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Anyone in need of a Warming Center is encouraged to go directly to one of the locations listed below. If you know of, or encounter, an unsheltered individual who may require assistance, please contact the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at (973) 389-5951 and inform them that there is an at-risk individual in need of a welfare check under the Passaic County Code Blue Alert Plan. For more information, please call 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211 for local resources and support.

Clifton:
1232 Main Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07011
Call ahead to check availability: (201) 739-1475
Clifton Non-Emergency Police: (973) 470-5900

Passaic:
Dignity House
276 Broadway, Passaic, NJ 07055
Phone: (973) 365-3900

Paterson:
541–545 W. Broadway, Paterson, NJ 07522
Phone: (973) 820-1234

01/21/2026

KEEP-IN-MIND: Code Blue protocols are enacted when the temperature is forecasted to drop below 32 degrees or due to inclement weather. Essex County’s Code Blue procedures have been enacted from Thursday, January 15th at 8 p.m. to Thursday, January 22nd at 9 a.m. during the nighttime hours of 8 p.m. to 9 a.m., except Monday, January 19th to Wednesday, January 21st which will be all day.

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones have announced participating shelters and warming stations, view the flyer or visit www.nj211.org.

01/09/2026

01/09/2026

Under President Trump’s leadership, common sense, scientific integrity, and accountability have been restored to federal food and health policy.

For decades, the Dietary Guidelines favored corporate interests over common-sense, science-driven advice to improve the health of Americans.

That ends today.

The new Dietary Guidelines call for prioritizing high-quality protein, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—and avoiding highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates.

https://realfood.gov/

01/07/2026

Happy New Year!! 2026 is officially here. What are your goals for 2026? Here are a few examples when it comes to improving your health and wellness.

🟣Eating more whole foods
🟣Using MyPlate as a guide for your meals and snacks
🟣Drinking more water
🟣Increasing your physical activity (Going for a walk, at-home workouts, etc.)
🟣Cooking new recipes
🟣Reading food-labels
🟣Watching how much sugar you eat and drink
🟣Attending EFNEP Nutrition Education Classes

There are so many different goals that you can make for yourself. Just remember that small goals are JUST AS important as larger goals. Start off small and work your way up.

Be on the lookout this year as the EFNEP Essex Team share the different nutrition education series that you can sign-up for in Essex and Passaic counties. 😊

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¡Feliz Año Nuevo!! 🎉 2026 ya está oficialmente aquí. ¿Cuáles son tus metas para el 2026? Aquí tienes algunos ejemplos enfocados en mejorar tu salud y bienestar:

🟣 Comer más alimentos integrales
🟣 Usar MyPlate como guía para tus comidas y meriendas
🟣 Beber más agua
🟣 Aumentar tu actividad física (salir a caminar, hacer ejercicios en casa, etc.)
🟣 Cocinar nuevas recetas
🟣 Leer las etiquetas de los alimentos
🟣 Vigilar la cantidad de azúcar que comes y bebes
🟣 Asistir a las clases de educación nutricional de EFNEP

Hay muchísimas metas diferentes que puedes proponerte. Solo recuerda que las metas pequeñas son TAN IMPORTANTES como las metas grandes. Empieza poco a poco y ve avanzando paso a paso.

Mantente atento este año mientras el equipo de EFNEP Essex comparte las diferentes series de educación nutricional para las que podrás inscribirte en los condados de Essex y Passaic. 😊

01/07/2026