Illinois Nutrition Education Programs helps Illinois families make healthier choices through engaging, face-to-face classes and events, online resources, and healthy messaging strategies. In its first six months, 1 in 5 SNAP-eligible IL residents saw Eat.Move.Save. social marketing campaign messages, and 2/3 of them reported taking action after seeing them. 

By working to reach multiple family members through community programming, INEP makes a greater impact on healthy choices. For more on SNAP-Ed impact, visit our Extension SNAP-Ed Impact Page. For more on EFNEP impact, visit our EFNEP Page. 

• Over 8 in 10 adults who attended SNAP-Ed classes shared they will make a healthy change to their eating habits
• Over 50% shared they will make changes to their physical activity habits and food budgeting habits
• Children who participate in programming prefer healthier foods and beverages, improve cooking skills, and are more physically active

Because of the donation of the fresh produce along with SNAP-Education, youth are able to go home and share and show what they have learned at their Illinois Junior Chef or Teen Cuisine classes. The educational materials encourage families to make healthy food choices, learn about where locally grown food comes from, and how to cook a new recipe utilizing the fresh produce.

"I had my doctor appointment this past week. My A1C is down, my blood pressure is down, and I lost four pounds. This is because of the things I have learned and started to do from this program."- Adult SNAP-Ed Participant

"I learned about how to start using other seasonings besides salt to bring the flavor out of my food, and made a taco seasoning. I also learned that fruits and vegetables are very important to a health diet. Within the time I spent coming to classes, I have lost three pounds." - EFNEP Adult Participant