Making healthy choices is not always easy. Illinois SNAP-Ed transforms the health of Illinois communities through engaging community nutrition education, healthy messaging, and strategic partnerships focusing on policy, system, and environmental changes. 

In Illinois, SNAP-Ed is also known as Eat.Move.Save. and delivered by University of Illinois Extension and University of Illinois Health’s Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion. The goal of SNAP-Ed is "to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP [or other people with low income] will make healthy food choices within a limited budget and choose physically active lifestyles consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and the USDA food guidance."

SNAP-Ed focuses on improving food access for Illinois families, reducing barriers in order to make healthier choices easier, and helping families save money through knowledge and skills they can use in their everyday lives. To meet these goals, SNAP-Ed works with partners and coalitions at the local, regional, and state levels to reach families and communities through SNAP-Ed activities. Activities may include engaging community nutrition education classes, policy, system, and environmental changes, and healthy messaging. 

Our work with families, organizations, and communities includes:

• Provide community nutrition education classes and events
• Teach professional development training and workshops for partner staff and volunteers on strategies to promote and encourage healthier choices at their organization
• Work with community partners, such as schools, food pantries, and federally qualified health centers to improve operations, promote healthier choices, increase access to healthy eating and physical activity opportunities, and create programs and systems to support the needs of Illinois communities
• Connect individuals and families with relevant resources and community programs to help them with food access, healthy food choices, and physical activity opportunities
• Share healthy eating and physical activity messages on social media, streaming platforms, public transit, billboards, and more through our Eat.Move.Save. social marketing campaign