In order to measure the effectiveness of information leaflets, circular letters, and cartoon booklets in disseminating basic foods and nutrition information to low-income homemakers, a sample of 700 North Carolina homemakers involved in the Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program sponsored by the Agricultural Extension Service was divided into three experimental groups and one control group. Relationships between knowledge and practice change and the situational characteristics of the respondents (rural, urban, etc.) were also examined. Employing the test--treatment--retest design, the study's conceptual framework was based on Berlo's communication model. Data collected via personal interview were analyzed by computer using least squares analysis of variance. Major findings were: all experimental groups and the control group showed significant changes in foods and nutrition knowledge and practices; no one of the media was significantly more effective than another in affecting changes in foods and nutrition knowledge or practices; knowledge gain was found to be significantly related to certain aspects of geographical location of the respondents and to attitude toward the medium received; and attitudes toward the three media were positive and significantly related to "ease of reading". Results suggested that there are regional differences in the attitudes toward different media and media reading levels. (Author/JC)