4-H and youth development programs focus on building lifelong learning skills that develop youth potential. The youth component of EFNEP focuses on providing food and nutrition education to youth from low-income families and youth living in low-income urban and rural geographic areas. The acquisition of knowledge and skills that can lead to changed attitudes and changed behavior contributes to nutritionally sound diets and to personal development. These EFNEP youth are encouraged to pursue additional opportunities in extension youth development programs, particularly 4-H.

Youth get hands on skill building in food selection, food preparation, food buying, and food safety when participating in the EFNEP youth program.

Kids get together and have fun cooking, eating, and learning in a series of meetings. Programs can use the nutrition EFNEP sheets for youth, the 4-H Food and Nutrition project books, "Eating for a Better Start," or Food Preservation projects.

4-H/EFNEP groups are formed with afterschool meetings at child day care centers (schoolaged children), neighborhood centers, summer day camps, church youth groups, and low-income housing homework clubs.

There are also school enrichment nutrition programs such as the Team Nutrition activities, Healthy Heart-Kid Smart, and Fight BAC.