It is designed to assist limited resource audiences in acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and changed behavior necessary for nutritionally sound diets, and to contribute to their personal development and the improvement of the total family diet and nutritional well-being. Through an experiential learning process, adult program participants learn how to make food choices to improve the nutritional quality of the meals they serve their families. They increase their ability to select and buy food that meets the nutritional needs of their family. They gain new skills in food production, preparation, storage, safety and sanitation, and they learn to better manage their food budgets and related resources such as Food Stamps. In addition to lessons on nutrition, food preparation and food safety, youth topics may also include fitness, avoidance of substance abuse, and other health related topics.
Paraprofessionals usually live in the communities where they work.