Alabama SNAP-Ed Staff Sees Ripple Out Effect
“SNAP-Ed is a crucial element in providing nutrition education in my small, rural community. Since beginning my work with SNAP-Ed, I have personally witnessed youth try new fruits and vegetables they have not tried or had an opportunity to try before. Additionally, I have witnessed remarkable growth at our local farmers market, with an increasing number of young families purchasing fresh, locally sourced produce while fostering connections with local farmers. By cultivating relationships within the community and providing recipe demonstrations, nutrition education, storage techniques, and waste reduction strategies, more families have been encouraged to purchase and consume fresh, locally grown produce. Moreover, I have had the privilege of collaborating with local partner organizations to establish a fruit and vegetable voucher program at the farmers market, enabling youth to independently purchase produce following their participation in engaging SNAP-Ed lessons.
Beyond the provision of nutrition education, I have also observed significant progress through partnerships with local organizations to facilitate policy, system, and environmental changes. One of my ongoing initiatives involves working alongside a faith-based organization to promote leadership in community health. Since launching this project in October, I have observed improvements in their community outreach efforts, including healthy snack drives benefiting county schools, enhanced community fellowship meals incorporating nutritious options, the inclusion of fruits and vegetables in monthly youth programs, and an increased emphasis on physical activity and movement within youth events. Furthermore, participants in the nutrition education training course I conducted at the faith-based organization have achieved additional successes beyond the organization itself. One participant, along with her spouse, recently opened a grocery store within the county and recognized the importance of offering nutrient-dense and health-conscious food selections. Another participant, actively involved in the organization’s food pantry program, now collaborates with me to ensure the provision of healthy recipes and nutrition education for pantry recipients on a monthly basis.
SNAP-ED is the foundation for fostering meaningful connections and advancing community health.“