Important Update on SNAP-Ed Funding

Submitted by

Jane Eisenhauer

SNAP-ED Nutrition Educator

Wild West District

 

Important Update on SNAP-Ed Funding

As a SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator, for K-State Research & Extension, Wild West District, I would like to take this time to personally share some important information regarding SNAP-Ed.

 

First, let me share a little background about SNAP-Ed. SNAP-Ed is the nutrition education component of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) formerly known as Food Stamps. SNAP-Ed is supported by a USDA Grant, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Children and Families.

 

Kansas SNAP-Ed supports low-income Kansans in making healthy choices through dual focus on nutrition and physical activity. We partner with local and statewide organizations to improve policies, systems and environments that support healthy behaviors.

 

Here in the Wild West District, which includes Haskell, Seward and Stevens counties, we currently work with 21 area community partners. These community partners include school districts, health departments, food pantries, libraries, recreation centers, senior centers and Seward County Community College. Also, included in these partnerships are Liberal Area Coalition for Families and Kansas Department of Children and Families.

 

Due to the recently passed federal legislation, funding for the SNAP-Ed program will be eliminated, which means that current SNAP-Ed programming will end with the close of the federal fiscal year on September 30, 2025.

 

While this news is very disappointing, SNAP-Ed Staff and Nutrition Educators remain proud of the work we have accomplished and are grateful for the relationships we have built across the State of Kansas, including the Wild West District here in Southwest Kansas. We will begin planning to responsibly wind down our SNAP-Ed programming efforts and ensure a smooth wrap-up of activities by the end of the funding period.