SNAP-Ed is on a mission to empower people of all ages to make healthy choices. Recognizing the growing need for comprehensive nutrition education across all ages, we've proactively forged valuable partnerships and developed innovative programs this year, bringing healthy choices to both youth and seniors in meaningful ways.

From Farm to Family: POP Club Grows Future Foodies

One of the first groups that SNAP-Ed collaborated with was a long-time partner, the Land Connection, to launch the POP (Power of Produce) Kids Club to nurture a love for fresh, local produce in children. Once a month, the club sets up a booth at the vibrant Champaign Farmers Market, inviting kids to explore seasonal delights like tomatoes, pumpkins, apples, and peaches. Through interactive activities and tastings, they learn about the benefits of locally grown food and how to stretch their SNAP dollars at the market. The program's success has been so great that SNAP-Ed plans to bring the lessons learned at the market online through engaging videos.

School Cafeterias Get a Healthy Makeover

SNAP-Ed's impact extends beyond farmers' markets. In the Danville School District, their commitment to nutritious school meals took root in the form of a transformed cafeteria. SNAP-Ed helped transform the high school cafeteria by introducing a salad bar and a health bar offering fruit, yogurt parfaits, and vegetarian wraps – all available to students at no extra cost. But their commitment didn't stop there. Recognizing the need for broader change, SNAP-Ed partnered with the Illinois State Board of Education and ABC's Nutrition team to provide annual training sessions for staff and food production managers across the district. The training covered essential topics like share tables, standardized recipes, food safety, and production plans, empowering staff to create healthier, more sustainable school meals.

Nourishing Knowledge for Seniors

Recognizing the often-overlooked need for nutrition education among seniors, they partnered with local assisted living facilities to bring the Create Better Health curriculum to their residents. To bridge this gap, SNAP-Ed partnered with local assisted living facilities to bring the Create Better Health curriculum – specifically designed for seniors – to their residents. Over 180 participants learned valuable skills like menu planning, meal prep, understanding nutrition labels, and differentiating between fruits and vegetables. The curriculum also offered hypertensive- and diabetic-friendly recipes, catering to the group's diverse needs. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants is a testament to the program's success. SNAP-Ed is committed to expanding its reach in the coming year, with plans to expand the POP clubs to include outreach to seniors.

These are just a few examples of how SNAP-Ed works tirelessly to cultivate a culture of healthy living in Champaign County. By fostering partnerships, developing engaging educational programs, and tailoring their approach to specific demographics, they empower people of all ages to make informed choices about their food and well-being.

Through these interconnected efforts, SNAP-Ed is cultivating a culture of health that spans generations. From the playful discovery of fresh produce at the market to the comprehensive training of school staff and the empowering lessons for seniors, their programs demonstrate that healthy eating can be a delicious adventure for everyone. As seeds of knowledge are sown, nurtured, and finally harvested into positive choices, SNAP-Ed ensures that the future of food is vibrant, nutritious, and inclusive for all.

Photo caption: Community Worker Della Jacobs prepares a recipe preview for the POP Club at the Urbana Farmers' Market.