SNAP-Ed | Georgia Department of Public Health

SNAP-Ed

Obesity has become an epidemic impacting all segments of the population in Georgia, particularly low-income families. In an effort to reduce obesity in adults and families, the Georgia Department of Public Health is partnering with key stakeholders statewide to implement the SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education) program in vulnerable areas around the state of Georgia.

SNAP-Ed is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service and serves as the educational component of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP-ED teaches families to make healthier lifestyle choices and stretch their food dollars. Through evidence-based public health approaches, SNAP-Ed programming improves the likelihood that low-income families will make more sound nutritional decisions within a limited budget and choose physically active lifestyles consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The Georgia Department of Public Health’s Chronic Disease Prevention Section is collaborating with 6 public health districts and the Georgia Institute of Technology to implement the SNAP-Ed program with an emphasis on promoting nutrition and physical activity by utilizing community garden and worksite wellness interventions in targeted sites within high-obesity, low food security counties across the state of Georgia.

Georgia Facts

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention State Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Profile for Georgia reported the following statistics for adults:

30.5% were obese
35.2% were overweight
43.2% consumed fruits less than one time per day
23.7% consumed vegetables less than one time per day
50.8% achieved at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week.

Click here to view the CDC’s full Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Profile for Georgia.

Georgia DPH SNAP-Ed Program Overview

Click here to view a map of the current DPH community garden and worksite wellness SNAP-Ed sites.

Community Gardens

In 2017/2018, there will be a total of 18 SNAP-Ed community garden interventions. Community gardens will be established at public housing sites, eligible schools, and qualifying community sites such as churches and parks where adults and families with limited resources live, work, and play. Local health districts will identify sites to develop community gardens and collaborate with local community partners to establish and sustain the gardens.

Monthly direct nutrition education sessions will be delivered in the community gardens to encourage SNAP-eligible participants to consume one or more different types of fruits and vegetables each day and achieve and maintain a healthy body weight based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The community garden interventions will increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables and give participants an opportunity to harvest and engage in physical activity.

Worksite Wellness

In 2017/2018, there will be a total of 14 SNAP-Ed worksite wellness interventions. DPH will target worksites where more than 50% of adults are considered “SNAP-eligible”. Local health districts and Georgia Institute of Technology’s EmployersLikeMe program will identify qualified sites and deliver monthly direct nutrition education sessions in a group setting to encourage SNAP-eligible participants to consume one or more different types of fruits and vegetables each day and achieve and maintain a healthy body weight based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

For more information, please contact:

Kimberly Jenkins, MHA

SNAP-Ed Program Manager

Kimberly.Jenkins@dph.ga.gov