EATING RIGHT IS BASIC is a national nutrition education program designed for school aged children 2-1/2 to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 11 years old, developed by the University of California 4-H Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).

The scope of all programs has been developed to meet the content requirements set forth in the California Health Framework section for nutrition. The grade level concepts and content principles are taught through skills and behaviors that can be found in the Eating Right is Basic curriculum. Below are examples:

* Food Guide Pyramid recommendations
* Food tasting and preparation experiences of healthy foods
* Practicing good personal hygiene including caring for teeth and washing one's hands
* Safe and sanitary food preparation
* Food handling and practices that are essential to maintaining adequate nutrient quality
* Kitchen safety, including safe use of utensils, stoves, and ovens correctly
* Using critical thinking skills to analyze marketing and advertising techniques on food selection (9 to 11 years old)
* Using unit pricing to determine the most economical purchases (9 to 11 years old)

The curriculum includes a teacher's manual, black line masters for all student activities, activity posters, parent letters, and completion certificates. The Spanish curriculum includes a teacher's manual (in English) and all black line masters, posters, parent letters and certificates in Spanish. The curriculum is free to all schools with a 50% student enrollment in the free or reduced meal program. To receive the free curriculum and the teacher in-service training, please contact Karen Bayne, Youth EFNEP Coordinator, at (805) 868-6213.