Food Access Blogs | Illinois Extension

Elementary children posing together as a group

SNAP-Education youth cooking classes develop skills helpful beyond the kitchen

January 7, 2025

Something special happens when people gather around the table to eat together. It is even more amazing when they gather around the table to learn to cook together. Local University of Illinois Extension Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—Education staff partner with after school programs to...

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SNAP-Education Partner Spotlight: Haddad’s Market

October 28, 2024

Extension Snapshots

There is something special about small, neighborhood grocery stores. The staff get to know their customers and can better meet their needs. The city of West Peoria is proud of their strong community support where families have lived for...

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lady standing in front of a table full of food pantry donations

Coalition supports food safety, food access, and expansion opportunities through grants to local organizations

February 14, 2024

Extension Snapshots

Many families struggle to have adequate access to enough nutritious foods to support an active and healthy lifestyle. There is no one answer to the issue and attempting to solve this struggle for families requires a multi-faceted, collaborative approach. University of Illinois Extension SNAP-...

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Extension Master Gardener speaks to a group

Master Gardeners take an active role to address food security and access

February 7, 2023

In 2022, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners (EMG) serving in Futon, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties were challenged to dedicate a portion of their volunteer time and continuing education for addressing and...

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two ladies with their backs to the camera stocking shelves at a food pantry

Nutrition policy is newest layer of SNAP-Education work at Canton First Baptist Church Food Pantry

November 7, 2022

Health and wellness involves more than just nutrition education. People may know the “right foods” to eat or the “bad foods” to avoid, but availability and affordability can also be deciding factors. Recently First Baptist Church Food Pantry (FBC...

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Extension Master Gardener working in a community garden

Extension Master Gardeners give to the Morton Giving Garden so that the garden can give to others

September 6, 2022

How many people does it take to grow 2,500 pounds of vegetables in one season? In the case of the Morton Giving Garden it takes the whole community. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners (EMG) from Tazewell County created the Morton Giving Garden in 2010 to grow and donate fresh...

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