Program Overview
Spokane Regional Health District implements Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education (SNAP-Ed) activities for a ten-county region in eastern Washington. This is done through relationships with multiple partner organizations that provide education and promote policy, system and environment changes to improve the health of low-income families.
The work of this program is important because it utilizes a unique approach to traditional SNAP work by fostering behavior change through a sustainable peer-to-peer model.
Nutrition Education
Health educators and community health advocates teach SNAP families how to
buy and prepare healthy food. Topics include label reading, food budgeting, and
meal planning.
Policy, Systems & Environment Changes
Within Spokane County, policy, systems, and environment changes such as
community gardens, walking maps, and mobile food banks have been implemented in low-income housing complexes.
Physical Activity
Being active increases energy and happiness and can prevent chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer, which are the top two leading causes of death in Spokane County.
Beyond controlling weight, physical activity helps boost your sense of confidence and self-sufficiency. Being active also allows you to set a good example for kids and other loved ones in your life.
SNAP-Ed activities help individuals overcome their barriers to exercise by linking them to low- or no-cost fitness options and ensuring they fit into busy schedules.
Public Health Institute 2013
20%1/5 of families with children in the U.S. face hunger/food insecurity
SNAP-Ed Works for Kids & Adults
- ¾ of SNAP-Ed participants are children
- 1 in 7 people miss a meal
- In Washington, 13% of houselolds live in poverty
- 1 in 4 children face chronic food shortages at home
All About SNAP-Ed
Even in Guam, great things are happening with SNAP-Ed, just like in Spokane County.
“I have increased my vegetable intake and kept my blood sugar more manageable. – SNAP-Ed class participant ”
Every $1 spent on nutrition education saves as much as $10 in long-term
health care costs. An example of this work happens with community health advocates, an initiative through the health district, who help make
communities healthier through policy, system, and environment changes as well as
indirect and direct education.
Complete Eats
Use SNAP/EBT food benefits to buy $10 in fruits and vegetables and get a $5 coupon toward future produce purchase.