SNAP-Ed, a Statewide Nutrition Programme Reaching Thousands, Faces closure Amid Funding Cuts
ALBANY, NY – A vital nutrition education program serving communities across New York State is set to end operations on September 30th, after the federal government announced it will discontinue funding for SNAP-Ed (Supplemental nutrition Assistance Program Education). The program, which provides hands-on learning about healthy eating on a budget, has reached over 200,000 New Yorkers in all 62 counties as its inception.
SNAP-Ed’s impending closure threatens to eliminate a key resource for families struggling with food insecurity and rising grocery costs. The program offers practical skills like budget-pleasant meal planning, cooking demonstrations, and opportunities to sample fresh produce – tools notably valuable as economic pressures mount. More than 200 statewide employees are currently working to wind down operations, leaving a gap in community-based nutrition support.
The program’s impact is felt locally, as exemplified by its work in Oswego County. “We’re doing food demonstrations, providing children with food tasting of mostly produce items, easy recipes that we can send home with them that could be easy for their families to do with them,” explained program educator sarah Watkins. Last year alone, SNAP-Ed reached approximately 1,000 individuals in Oswego County.
Educators emphasize the program’s role in expanding palates and making healthy choices more accessible. “There’s limited access sometimes to the foods, and there’s limited chances to try,” said Shayna Russo, SNAP-Ed’s statewide technical assistance coordinator. “When you know what you like, you’re going to spend the money on just that item as you don’t have a second chance. You don’t have another budget to work with.”
The funding cut, detailed in a USDA FAQ, has prompted program staff to explore potential partnerships to salvage portions of the initiative. Though, Watkins anticipates a critically important reduction in services. “Those opportunities are going to be less, and people are going to be seeing less of it,” she said. ”So, you might not have known what it was, but I do think they’re going to notice when it’s not there.”
Russo underscored the fundamental importance of food access, stating, “Food is a necessity.It’s something that everybody needs. The cost of food is going up. jobs can be arduous to find,so you never know when you’re going to be in a situation where money may be tight.” Program advocates are urging concerned citizens to contact their elected officials to voice support for SNAP-Ed and explore potential solutions to restore funding.
