SNAP-Ed Improves Health of Affordable Housing Residents
“I want to take a moment to share why I stand behind SNAP-Ed, more commonly known as Nutrition Connections here in New Hampshire. As a provider of affordable housing, I’ve seen firsthand how SNAP-Ed makes a difference in resident access to healthy foods and the impact it has had on their decisions to make healthier food and lifestyle choices.
As a result of conducting resident surveys, LRCD learned that almost 60% of residents at one of our multi-family, subsidized properties described their health as fair or poor. Residents also reported high food insecurity.
LRCD partnered with UNH Extension to have a Nutrition Educator provide information and resources to our residents at the on-site community garden we built with residents. Each week, information was provided about how to grow, cook and eat different fruits, vegetables and herbs; making healthy food and lifestyle choices; how to read food labels and stretch your food dollars; and so much more. The Educator facilitated a Create Better Health, 8-week curriculum that promoted healthy eating and physical activity patterns that residents have incorporated into their daily lives and share with neighbors, friends and family on a regular basis.
Since having a SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator provide this support, residents have greater access to healthy food, are making healthier food choices, and have increased physical activity. Residents continue to be excited about what they learned and feel they are living healthier lives now than ever before!”