FoodWIse (formerly known as the Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program, WNEP) is a community nutrition education program within the Health & Wellbeing Institute of UW-Extension. FoodWIse is federally funded and serves families and individuals with limited incomes in Fond du Lac and Sheboygan Counties. Nutrition Educators offer small and large group classes on healthy eating, food budgeting, and food safety. In addition, as an obesity prevention program, FoodWIse is active in efforts to address the health of the local community at the population level.

From October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018, the Fond du Lac/Sheboygan FoodWIse Program offered 426 classes to 38 community partners, including ADVOCAP, Forward Services, Senior Meal Sites, and Boys and Girls Clubs. These classes reached 4,735 contacts (duplicated) and 1,233 learners (unduplicated) in Fond du Lac and Sheboygan Counties.

As a result of the classes, parents surveyed responded:

• 86% – my child is eating more fruits.
• 57% – my child is eating more vegetables.
• 100% – my child is more willing to wash his/her hands.
• 86% – my child is more willing to try new foods.
• 71% – my child asked me to buy a new fruit or vegetable at the store.

As a result of the classes, teachers surveyed responded:

• 71% – changes were made in the variety and amounts of fruits eaten by students.
• 86% – changes were made in the variety and amounts of vegetables eaten by students.
• 71% – students are washing their hands properly.
• 50% – more students are reading food labels.
• “Students are reading and commenting on labels on breakfast items, especially regarding whole grain and sugar content.”

As a result of the classes, adults responded:

• 52% are more willing to shop with a grocery list to save money.
• 41% are more willing to plan meals before grocery shopping.

100% are more willing to try to eat more fruits and/or vegetables.