Helping Illinois Make Healthy Choices
Illinois Nutrition Education Programs
By providing solutions through in-person lessons and online resources and collaborating with organizations and communities to promote healthier settings and choices, Illinois Nutrition Education Programs makes the healthy choice an easier choice where families eat, learn, live, shop, and play.
Illinois Nutrition Education Programs includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. We are part of University of Illinois Extension and located in nearly every county in Illinois. We provide free, easy solutions to improve the health of Illinois families and communities through strategic partnerships focused on healthy eating, physical activity, and improving access to healthy foods.
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Who We Are
Our nutrition, activity, and food budgeting education programs are based on current research and engage learners in engaging hands-on classes and activities. Collaboration with local, regional, and statewide organizations to promote healthier choices helps us further increase impact.
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.
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Why It Matters
When individuals have access to healthier foods, they have a lower risk for obesity and other chronic diseases. Healthier eating choices can lead to better health, bringing improved job performance and lower absenteeism rates. For youth, a healthier lifestyle can help with preparedness and performance at school. We make the healthy choice an easier choice where families eat, learn, live, shop, and play.
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Where We Work
Illinois Nutrition Education Programs team members reach limited-resource families in their communities where they live, eat, play, learn, and work.
Our programming is implemented in a variety of locations, including:
- Emergency food locations, such as food pantries and food banks
- Elementary, middle, and high schools
- Early childhood centers, such as Head Start, preschools, and daycare centers
- Youth centers
- Community centers and agencies serving adults and families, such as WIC, public health districts, and park districts
- Grocery stores and farmers markets