Tennessee Nutrition & Consumer Education Program (TNCEP)

TNCEP (Tennessee Nutrition and Consumer Education Program) is a partnership between University of Tennessee Extension, the Tennessee Department of Human Services and the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. The characteristic of TNCEP that makes it different from other nutrition education programs is that it is coalition-driven. A community coalition of individuals from various agencies determines what education is conducted.

Who is eligible?
Nutrition education is available to SNAP participants and other eligible low-income individuals and families. Our youth program is available at no cost to schools that provide 50% or more free and reduced lunches. Our office has a variety of teaching materials and other resources available for check out for teachers.

Goals

Our goal is to help participants:

  • Choose healthy foods and beverages on a budget
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables
  • Drink fewer sugar-sweetened beverages
  • Lead physically active lives
  • Practice healthy foods skill such as planning meals, shopping, cooking and safe food handling

THEMES

Cooking Skills

Healthy Eating

Stretching Food Budgets

Being More Active

WE PROVIDE

Well-trained staff to conduct or coordinate the programs.

Equipment and supplies needed for lesson delivery, food preparation and healthy message prompts.

Materials to help participants practice new skills at home.

Tools to help communities promote healthy living choices.

MyPlate for My Family MyPlate Website and Nutrition Education Toolkit 

Eat Well, Feel Well Eat Well Feel Well Participant Brochure 

Eating Smart, Moving More Eating Smart Moving More Partner Brochure 

Eating Smart Throughout the Life Cycle Eating Smart Throughout the Lifecycle Participant Brochure 

Cooking Matters Cooking Matters Flyer

Adventures in the Kitchen for Youth (4th-6th grades)

This interactive program teaches cooking skills, kitchen safety, and nutrition and promotes physical activity; consists of six 1–1.5 hour lessons and includes parent newsletters​.​
Adventures in the Kitchen Partner Brochure 

Color Me Healthy (Preschool)

A twelve-lesson series using color, music, and exploration of the senses to teach that healthy food and physical activity are fun.​

Discover MyPlate (Kindergarten)

Inquiry-based nutrition education for youth that fosters healthy food choices and physically active lifestyles; consists of five lessons.​
Discover MyPlate Introduction 

Serving Up MyPlate: A Yummy Curriculum (1st-6th grades)

Standards-based nutrition curricula available for educators; three different levels are available based on grade; each level consists of three courses.
Additional information

Making Tracks with Rudy Raccoon (3rd grade)

Six interactive 35-45 minute lessons to promote healthy eating, food safety and physical activity; includes parent newsletters.​
Rudy Raccoon Brochure 

Power U (4th and 5th grades)

Promotes age-appropriate activities for healthy eating combined with daily physical activity; consists of five 30-minute lessons and includes parent newsletters.


Teen Cuisine

Series of six lessons teaching teens nutrition, food preparation and cooking, food safety, and physical activity.
Teen Cuisine Brochure

Upcoming Classes

Join our coalition!

A local coalition of partners and volunteers join together to plan and carry out activities they would not be able to do on their own. Members come from a wide variety of agencies and organizations serving families with limited resources.

Coalitions help:

  • Identify help
  • Prioritize and guide programming
  • Reach the audience
  • Generate community interest
  • Plan and conduct activities

Susan Lachmann Profile Page
Susan Lachmann
Ext Program Assistant II, Sullivan County

Farmers Market Fresh at the Kingsport Famers Market

a social marketing program targeted to SNAP participants. SNAP participants are encouraged to use their benefits at local farmers’ markets to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. See you at the market!