Cornell Cooperative Extension Welcomes EFNEP Educator

Else Alonge joins as a Nutrition Educator

-by Iris Ruiz, Nutrition Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (May 12, 2016) - Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is excited to announce the recent hire of Else Alonge as a Nutrition Educator. Alonge grew up on a small farm in Mayville, New York where she enjoyed the rural life. In 2010, she received her Associate’s Degree in Human Services from Jamestown Community College, and in May 2012, she graduated from SUNY Buffalo with her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Following her degree program, Alonge worked in the mental health field at residential facilities and helped participants reach their goals of living independently in the community. She was also responsible for creating healthy menu options and directing the participants’ grocery shopping while being aware of participants’ special diets. Through her work, Alonge has found a passion for nutrition as well as public health and is thrilled to be a part of the EFNEP learning and teaching model that benefits families and the community as a whole.

Alonge joins Iris Ruiz, Nutrition Educator, who has been working with the EFNEP program since December 2014. Ruiz has been covering all of Chautauqua County since and is happy to have Alonge join the Cornell Cooperative Extension team. The EFNEP program assists low income families and youth to improve their overall health. The program helps participants to learn new ways to eat healthier by eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking fewer sweetened beverages, maintaining a healthy weight, and being physically active. Families and adults caring for children are eligible to take advantage of EFNEP’s programming if they participate in the SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, or Head Start programs or receive free or reduced school lunch.

Three curriculums are offered through EFNEP, including: “Eating Smart Being Active”, an 8 week course focused on healthy eating and physical activity; “Finding a Balance”, a 9 week course focused on healthy eating with diabetes or pre-diabetes; and “Healthy Children Healthy Families”, a 9 week course for parents and caregivers focused on healthy eating and parenting with children ages 3-11. Classes can be given one on one or in a group setting.

Alonge will be offering EFNEP classes in Northern Chautauqua County, including Dunkirk and surrounding areas. Ruiz will continue offer classes in the South County. For more information or to set up a class please contact Else Alonge or Iris Ruiz at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County by calling 716-664-9502. You can also reach Else by e-mail at eaa68@cornell.edu or Iris by email at izr3@cornell.edu.

The EFNEP Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated May 13, 2016