Partnering with SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Nutrition Education)

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As the cornerstone of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition assistance programs, SNAP (formerly Food Stamp Program) plays a vital role in improving nutrition in the nation, particularly among low-income individuals. SNAP serves as the first line of defense against hunger and provides crucial support to needy households and to those making the transition from welfare to work.

SNAP has initiated its own nutrition program. The goal of the SNAP-Ed is to provide educational programs that increase, within a limited budget, the likelihood of all food stamp recipients making healthy food choices consistent with the most recent dietary advice as reflected in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPyramid. The Iowa Nutrition Network is one of 27 implementing agencies that report using a nutrition network to provide FSNE and coordinate it with other nutrition education.

Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) encourages states to provide nutrition education messages that focus on strengthening and reinforcing the link between food security and a healthy diet.

USDA matches the dollars a state is able to spend on SNAP-Ed.
States must receive approval from FNS for nutrition education plans that explain their budget and intended nutrition education activities for the year.
There are 53 state agencies in the SNAP. While the nutrition education plan is optional, FNS actively encourages states to develop plans for SNAP participants and SNAP-eligible individuals.
State agency commitment to nutrition education has grown rapidly over the years. In 1992 five states had approved nutrition education state plans and federal share expenditures for nutrition activities was $661,000. In fiscal year 2008, the number of state agencies with approved nutrition education has grown to 53, with an estimated federal dollar amount of $311 million, which represents approximately 50 percent of states' total expenditures for SNAP-Ed.

In Federal Fiscal Year 2008, the total participation in the Iowa Food Assistance Program was 3,068,968 participants. An average benefit of $98.45 per individual or $214.25 per household was distributed to 255,747 Iowans each month in 2008. The Iowa Food Assistance program serves 72% of eligible Iowans!