Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education (SNAP-Ed)
Nutrition and physical activity can improve your well-being.
The typical Arkansas diet is high in fat and low in fruits, vegetables, and whole-grains. Poor diet in conjunction with too little physical activity can contribute to the development of serious health problems.
Fortunately, the Arkansas SNAP-Ed program is available to help consumers make better choices about what to eat in order to stay active and live better.
What is Arkansas SNAP-Ed?
Arkansas SNAP-Ed provides nutrition education to food stamp recipients and those individuals and families who are eligible to receive nutrition assistance. As a result of a partnership between the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, the Arkansas Department of Human Services, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, and county governments, SNAP-Ed is helping Arkansans eat better in order to live better.
Find a SNAP-Ed Program Near You
Contact your local county Extension agent for more details on how you or your school can participate.
Want to save money while preparing healthy meals?
Visit our Arkansas Foods Blog for budget-friendly recipes and tips, as well as tried and true nutrition information to help you make better choices when deciding what to feed your family.
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The goal of SNAP-Ed is to provide educational nutrition programs that help SNAP participants
and those eligible for SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) make healthier food choices
and adopt active lifestyles that are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
and USDA Food Guidance System. The program is designed to teach skills that help participants
to:
- Buy and prepare healthful meals and snacks based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA Food Guidance System
- Become more physically active
- Improve safe handling, preparation, and storage of food
- Develop spending and savings plans to make food dollars last throughout the month
SNAP-Ed nutrition educators live in the communities they serve and they understand
the needs of the families in their county. They deliver SNAP-Ed training in a variety
of ways, including:
- School programs
- Hands-on learning experiences
- Food demonstrations
- Small group discussions
- Educational displays
- Handouts
- Newsletters
- Cooking Schools
SNAP-Ed partners with the Arkansas Department of Human Services offices, Arkansas
Department of Health WIC clinics, Head Start programs, senior citizen centers, commodity
distribution sites, and public schools where 50% or more of the students are eligible
for free or reduced price lunch.
- Access Arkansas
Quick and easy way for the people of Arkansas to find answers to their questions regarding health and nutrition programs and find out whether they qualify for nutrition assistance.
- Arkansas Food Bank Service
Supplies food pantries and other agencies that distribute food boxes and meals to those in need. This site will help you find a pantry or agency nearest you.
- Arkansas DHS WIC Program
Provides food, nutrition education or counseling, and access to health services for eligible pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children to age 5.
- Arkansas Department of Education Nutrition Unit
Information on Healthy School Initiative with information on standards and school wellness policies.
- Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
Provides programs, food resources, education and advocacy to feed Arkansas's hungry as well as a list of food pantries around the state.
- Arkansas DHS Diabetes Prevention and Control
Provides a wide range of information and support regarding diabetes such as technical assistance, quality improvement training, health care team scholarships, and health promotion through media messages.
- ChooseMyPlate.govFood and nutrition education and advocacy materials for educators/teachers, health
care professionals, partners, parents, children, adults, preschoolers, college students.
- MyPlate Core Nutrition MessagesUse these resources as part of nutrition education to help increase consumption of
whole grains, fat-free and low-fat (1% or less) milk, and fruits and vegetables, and
encourage child feeding practices that foster healthy eating habits.
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How to Get Food HelpInformation from the USAGov about who qualifies for all their food assistance programs and how to apply for assistance.
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Link to federal portal to nutrition assistance programs and nutrition education resources.
- SNAP-Ed Connection
A dynamic online resource center SNAP-Ed. Includes nutrition education materials and a recipe finder.
State and National Data & Research
- ACHI BMI State, District and School Reports
Obesity and school BMI Initiative data reports of the Arkansas public schools who participated in the statewide body mass index (BMI) assessments.
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service Research and Analysis
Descriptions of studies, research, and evaluation of projects that respond to the needs of policy makers and managers and help ensure that nutrition assistance programs achieve their goals effectively.
- USDA National Institute of Foods and Agriculture
Provides access to reports produced by CSREES/Extension/land-grant universities regarding SNAP-Ed and ASNNA and facilitates communication between state, regional, and national staff within the Land-Grant University System and among ASNNA members.
- USDA Economic Research Service
Research data and reports based on the effectiveness of SNAP (food stamp) program.