SNAP-Ed Educator in NYC
“As part of our SNAP-Ed programming in New York City, Common Threads recently led a hands-on cooking and nutrition workshop series at a public school serving a predominantly immigrant population in Queens. During one of the sessions, a 6th-grade student approached our instructor and said, “I taught my mom how to make this recipe at home, and now we cook it together instead of ordering takeout.” Her mother later shared that their family had started grocery shopping more intentionally, choosing fresh produce for the first time in years.
This moment captures the power of SNAP-Ed: it doesn’t just change what’s on the plate—it shifts habits, conversations, and health at the family level. Our program blends culturally responsive nutrition education with accessible resources that meet families where they are. We’ve seen children become health advocates in their households, caregivers re-engage with cooking, and schools champion wellness policies more confidently.
For communities that are often left behind by traditional public health approaches, SNAP-Ed is a vital bridge. It gives people knowledge, confidence, and tools they can actually use. And in neighborhoods facing rising food costs and systemic inequities, this kind of intervention is not just impactful—it’s essential.“