What is SNAP-Ed?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) is a federally funded grant program.

SNAP-Ed is an evidence-based program that helps people lead healthy, active lives.

The goal of SNAP-Ed is to implement nutrition education and obesity prevention program to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP will make healthy food choices within a limited budget and choose physically active lifestyles consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA food guidance.

SNAP-Ed promotes healthy eating and physical activity through education, incentives, and support.

The goal of SNAP-Ed is to improve the health of all Americans by reducing diet-related chronic diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.

Who is SNAP-Ed funded for?

The SNAP-Ed target audience is SNAP-Ed eligible individuals, specifically, SNAP participants and other low-income individuals who qualify to receive SNAP benefits or other means-tested Federal assistance programs. It also includes individuals residing in communities with a significant (50 percent or greater) low-income population.

The term “means-tested Federal assistance programs” for the purposes of this Guidance is defined as Federal programs that require the income and/or assets of an individual or family to be at or below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to qualify for benefits. There may be additional eligibility requirements to receive these programs, which provide cash and non-cash assistance to eligible individuals and families.

Households certified for SNAP, including those in States with BroadBased Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) policies with gross income limits up to 200% FPL, are SNAP participants and are therefore eligible for the same programs and services as all SNAP participants – including SNAP-Ed.

SNAPEd eligibility limits should not exceed the State threshold for BBCE, as listed at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/broadbased-categorical-eligibility. 

SNAP-Ed partners with state and local organizations to meet people where they are.

SNAP-Ed teaches people how to make their SNAP dollars stretch, how to shop for and cook healthy meals, and how to stay physically active.

SNAP-Ed initiatives include nutrition education classes at community centers and neighborhood grocery stores, cooking demonstrations on college campuses and in senior centers, afterschool classes that promote healthy lifestyles for young people—the list goes on!

The goal is to reach as many people as possible by bringing services directly into their communities.

How is SNAP-Ed funded?‍

SNAP-Ed is funded through the Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. The Final Rule (PDF, 256 KB) was published in the Federal Register on March 31, 2016. The rule codifies SNAP-Ed provisions of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. 

When people can access healthy food, they're more likely to eat healthier foods and enjoy better health outcomes.

SNAP-Ed teaches people about the relationship between diet and health, helps them learn how to plan, shop for and cook healthy meals.

SNAP-Ed participants are more likely to have high levels of consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products like yogurt or low-fat milk. When people can access healthy food it’s easier for them to eat healthier foods and enjoy better health outcomes.

People participating in SNAP-Ed also report lower incidences of obesity than people who do not participate in the program.

The SNAP-Ed program is a great tool for anyone looking to live a healthy lifestyle.

If you're interested in learning more about SNAP-Ed, check out https://nutrition.getsetup.com/