Find foods that taste great and are easy to prepare, fun activities, and shopping tips to keep more money in your pocket.
Food and Nutrition
Illinois Nutrition Education Programs provide nutrition education to individuals and families in communities around the state of Illinois. This program is provided as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education.
By providing easy solutions through in-person lessons and online resources, this program makes the healthy choice an easy choice where families eat, learn, live, shop, and play. Programs are based on current research and engage learners in practical, hands-on classes and activities.
Program staff also partner with local organizations as part of the overall effort to promote healthier settings and food choices. By focusing on improving food access, increasing the likelihood of healthy choices, and helping families save more money, we are making a difference in the lives of Illinois families and their communities.
List of food pantries near you.
Blessing Boxes Aid with Food Insecurity
Food insecurity is becoming more of an issue daily. As SNAP-Ed Program Coordinator, MaryBeth Massey considered the issue, she heard of Blessing Boxes which are a mini food pantry providing those with emergency needs with free boxed food items, canned goods and produce, and hopefully soon hygienic items. Through a partnership with Eastern Illinois University, she used surplus money from an Illinois Innovation Network grant to fund this project. A Blessing Box is up and running in Lovington located near the Lovington Community Garden. Two more Blessing Boxes are currently being installed in Shelbyville at the Senior Center and at HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital. MaryBeth encourages residents in our counties to contact her at 217-774-9546 if they are interested in having a Blessing Box in their community or would like to donate items for the Blessing Boxes.
