(NMC-CREES) — Strengthening food and nutrition security through healthy habits, Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services recognized 249 Expanded Food, Nutrition, and Education Program or EFNEP adult participants for Program Year 2025 at the CNMI-wide Year-End EFNEP Recognition Ceremony.
Held simultaneously on Nov. 13, 2025, EFNEP graduates from Saipan, Tinian, and Rota gathered together to celebrate the program’s fiscal year end and reunite and connect with fellow classmates. Of the 249 participants, there were 106 recognized in Saipan, 50 in Tinian, and 32 in Rota. Compared to Program Year 2024, this year’s ceremony is the first to be celebrated across the entire CNMI, with the addition of EFNEP classes on Rota.
This year, EFNEP served 249 adults and 150 youth across all three islands. Demonstrating significant improvements in key nutrition and wellness indicators, 98% of adult participants improved their diet quality, 80% increased their physical activity, 75% practiced safer food handling, 56% strengthened their household food security, and 90% enhanced their food resource management skills. These outcomes reflect EFNEP’s continued impact in supporting healthier families throughout the CNMI.
The celebration began with community partners being presented with certificates of appreciation for their partnership in recruitment, outreach, and the use of their facilities to host EFNEP classes. Partners included the Division of Youth Services, the Public School System, PSS Head Start/Early Head Start Program, Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation-Public Health Services, Women, Infants & Children Program, Office of Youth Affairs, CNMI Substance Abuse, Addiction and Rehabilitation, Tinian Mayor’s Office, Rota Mayor’s Office, 4-H Marianas, and Team Koka.
Special recognition was given to school principals and classroom teachers at Tanapag Middle School, Tinian Elementary School, Tinian Middle High School, Sinapalo Elementary School, and Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School for their support in facilitating EFNEP’s youth nutrition program Choose Health, Food, Fun and Fitness.
O’Ronia Gandeza, an EFNEP participant from Tinian, stated, “They say ‘Health is wealth’ and I agree. The EFNEP classes have provided me with such a wealth of knowledge to kickstart and continue my goal for having a healthier lifestyle, not only for me but for my family as well.”
About EFNEP
EFNEP empowers families and individuals with the knowledge and skills to start healthy habits, improve physical activity, and balance household grocery budgets. The adult curriculum, Eating Smart, Being Active, is offered by NMC-CREES at no cost. Classes are typically held once or twice a week on a nine-lesson schedule. Interested participants can register for the next cohorts on Saipan, Tinian, or Rota at bit.ly/EFNEPCNMI.
For more information about EFNEP or to inquire about enrollment, contact (670) 237-6852/3 or email efnep@marianas.edu/.
