Integrated Nutrition Education Program (INEP) is an evidence-based program that has been partnering with elementary schools that have high free- and reduced-priced lunch rates since 1993. Classroom teachers teach the INEP curriculum during classroom time, with training, materials and support from the INEP team. It consists of 9 hands-on lessons that involve food preparation/tasting while reinforcing core curriculum standards, with the goal of achieving behavior change around increased fruit and vegetable consumption, reduced sugar sweetened beverage consumption while increasing water consumption, and increasing physical activity levels. It also connects with parents via newsletters, parent letters with recipes and nutrition tips for home, parent night events, a health-based texting program, and family workshops. Currently, INEP reaches almost 10,000 students and their families in 49 low-income elementary schools across Colorado.
Colorado Education Initiative