Enrollment of limited resource clientele in public nutrition education and wellness system programs is expected to produce positive changes in food preparation, food purchase, and health status. The study described here evaluated the effectiveness of the Families First: Nutrition Education and Wellness System (FF NEWS) Program, a nutrition education program in selected 1890 institutions, in achieving positive changes. Program participation influenced participants to make positive changes in food-preparation and food-purchasing practices and resulted in a positive "trend," though not statistically significant, in health status. The culturally sensitive curriculum was an important factor in individual participation and positive behavior changes. Copyright © by Extension Journal, Inc.