Thousands benefit from SNAP Outreach & Education
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is one of the largest anti-hunger programs in Louisiana. It provides food assistance to an estimated 936,112 residents. Our 5 member food banks have SNAP Outreach Coordinators who play an integral part in fighting food insecurity in our state. The Coordinators are dedicated to assisting new and existing SNAP recipients, and have helped more than 108,324 residents since October 2022.
Feeding Louisiana helps execute SNAP Education in 20 parishes across our state. SNAP Education includes a variety of programs and outreach initiatives designed to shift communities towards healthier eating habits. Marleah Walker, Feeding Louisiana’s Director of Programs & Outreach says, “SNAP Education helps create a stronger sense of community. It offers a fun and easy way to bring people closer to healthy food which will truly nourish them.” SNAP Education reaches people of all ages. From May - July of this year, SNAP education has served approximately 14,950 residents.
You might have seen one of these billboards (below) which are another element of SNAP Education. The billboards popped up in rural parishes throughout the state and aim to encourage healthy eating habits. The billboards are estimated to make 6 million impressions a day, which equals 72 million impressions for the duration of the campaign ending in December.
Another SNAP Education program that has seen great success is the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank’s Pick a Better Snack™ program. Health educators speak to local school kids about the benefits of trying new fruits and veggies. For many young kids, healthy foods can be off-putting, but this campaign is using a method that organizers know will stick.
Every time a student tries the fruit or vegetable of the month, they get a fun sticker to proudly display at school. Kyra Anderson, Senior Nutrition Services Coordinator at the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank says they’ve already seen success with many students trying fruits or veggies for the first time, “We’re introducing them to things that aren’t very common in their households and showing them the food in their purest form. Introducing them to different fruits and vegetables is rewarding.” Anderson says it’s surprising how many kids have never tried certain fruits like peaches or oranges, “Giving them that experience and letting them try that in a safe space with other kids, they realize it’s actually really good and they really do like it.” Anderson loves seeing the program make an impact beyond the classroom when kids tell her, “Hey Miss Kyra, I asked my mom to buy me peaches because they were so good when we tried them in class!”
The program serves students in Pointe Coupee, Livingston, and West Feliciana parishes and reaches elementary-aged children in kindergarten through 5th grade.
For more information, visit: https://brfoodbank.org/about-us/programs-outreach/