Issue (Who cares and why?)
As the cornerstone of the USDA’s nutrition assistance programs, the Food Stamp Nutritional Education Program (FSNEP) plays a vital role in helping to improve nutrition in the nation, particularly among low-income individuals.
The “Community Partnerships: Nevada’s Incentive Program” was designed to expand the reach of Nevada’s part in the FSNEP through partnerships with other agencies and organizations that reach low-income audiences.
The goal of the program is to increase the variety and number of nutrition education programs that benefit food stamp recipients and other low-income audiences throughout Nevada. To accomplish this goal, the University of Nevada, Reno and the Nevada Division of Welfare are working together to help local agencies initiate or expand nutrition education programs in their communities and to provide the infrastructure necessary to receive additional federal funding.
What has been done?
The goal of Food Stamp Nutrition Education is to improve the likelihood that Food Stamp Program (FSP) participants and applicants will make healthy food choices within a limited budget and choose active lifestyles consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food Guide Pyramid. Nevada's Food Stamp Nutrition Education Plan for FY 2004 contributed toward this goal with activities designed to enhance understanding of the needs of FSP participants; increase collaboration among all Food and Nutrition Service-funded programs (which include the FSP); and facilitate the development and implementation of nutrition education programs that benefit FSP participants.
Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to assess the needs of FSP participants including 1) a statewide survey of school teachers, administrators, and food service managers from schools with > 50% of students eligible for free/reduced price school meals about factors in the school environment that may increase obesity risk; 2) focus groups with middle school students about their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about food; and 3) focus groups with women about barriers and facilitators to providing healthful meals for their families, including their decision to participate (or not) in the FSP.
Two school-based nutrition education programs were implemented in FY 2004: a school garden curriculum for elementary school children and the provision of nutrition education and related educational materials through school-based health centers. Staff at school-based health centers provided a total of 825 pieces of nutrition education pamphlets/brochures to students. More than 900 school employees returned surveys that provided information about characteristics of the school environment that may affect food choices and physical activity, and therefore obesity risk, among children from low-income households.
Lastly, a statewide consortium of FNS programs and other nutrition assistance programs in Nevada was created for the purpose of ending hunger in Nevada by developing seamless cooperation among all nutrition assistance programs, enhancing access to nutrition assistance programs, realizing full participation in nutrition assistance programs, and improving health outcomes for clients.
Impact
The FSNEP 2004 facilitated more than $152,642 in federal reimbursement for nutrition education activities. The FSN has had direct contact with more than 105,700 food stamp recipients and another 187,900 through mailings and other mass media avenues. The program has become so successful that Nevada’s Department of Welfare hired a Nutrition Specialist – the first in country. UNR’s Dr. Jamie Benedict states that “Using food stamps, though distributed through the welfare office, are more of a nutritional issue than most people realize. In general, folks who rely on food stamps fall into the “at risk” health category. And by improving their overall health, one only needs to follow the logic to see positive results.”
Significant improvements in nutrition-related behaviors were also noted among students participating in the school garden project (e.g., increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, more frequent hand-washing, greater level of physical activity). A newly created statewide consortium will provide a forum for planning and implementing program policies and practices. Claudia Collins a state specialist in Las Vegas said, “ This consortium will help to alleviate hunger in Nevada.”
Contact
Jamie Benedict
Dept. of Nutrition/142
University of Nevada
Reno, Nevada 89557
benedict@unr.nevada.edu