Nutrition Education Program

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education

Alabama is a state with high poverty, which contributes to a spectrum of problems ranging from economic, social and health issues. Detrimental health statistics in Alabama are well documented. Most sobering is the disproportionate number of food assistance recipients and eligibles suffering from health-related problems. Many of the health-related disparities have conclusive links to dietary habits and physical inactivity. Given this crisis, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) is desperately needed in Alabama. Alabama's SNAP-Ed program is commonly referred to as the Nutrition Education Program (NEP).

Food assistance (formerly Food Stamp) recipients will be served well in Alabama through NEP. Considerable efforts have been made to target SNAP-Ed to food assistance participants and eligibles in all 67 rural and metropolitan counties in Alabama. The primary target audience for NEP is food assistance recipients. Other likely audiences are reached too, and include persons at public housing apartments and persons visiting food pantries. Some potential audiences also included children in schools where at least 50% of children receive a reduced priced meal and persons participating in the Women, Infants and Children program.

The goal of NEP is that through evidenced–based education food assistance participants will improve the likelihood of making healthy food choices within a limited budget and choosing physically active lifestyles. To help magnify the impact of SNAP-Ed, efforts will focus on the recommended behavioral outcomes dealing with (1) nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, grains and milks, (2) adequate physical activity and (3) caloric balance. Other dietary quality behavioral outcomes consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans will be emphasized. An example is the selection and consumption of healthy foods within a limited budget.

SNAP-Ed will be delivered through multi-channel intervention techniques such as group instruction, individual instruction, food demonstrations, hands-on activities, printed materials, exhibits and television and radio appearances. Whenever possible, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) materials and recommended websites are used in the delivery of the intervention. Behavior change is determined by impact evaluations.

Alabama recognizes that nutrition education messages will be more successful at changing behaviors when consistent and repeated messages are delivered through multiple channels. The goal of Alabama’s State Nutrition Action Plan (SNAP) is to promote healthy dietary patterns and regular physical activity among individuals, families and communities, with an emphasis on FNS populations. SNAP connects FNS-funded programs within the state, including (1) Women, Infants and Children (WIC), (2) SNAP-Ed Nutrition Education Program, (3) Child Nutrition Program, (4) Alabama Food Assistance Program and (5) Alabama Department of Public Health. SNAP also collaborates with other agencies to facilitate an integrated nutrition education approach through NEP.