MSU Extension SNAP-Ed

The Big Picture

187 community sites reached and 23,500 youth and adults reached in those sites

MSU Extension Action

MSU Extension partners with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to provide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed), a free nutrition education program to reduce hunger and food insecurity and promote healthy eating habits. The goal of SNAP-Ed is to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP will make healthy food and lifestyle choices within a limited budget and choose physically active lifestyles consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines and the USDA food guidance.

The Impact

730 total nutrition and physical activity changes

421 nutrition changes

183 physical activity changes

57 nutrition policy changes

69 physical activity changes

Coaching Process

Assemble team → Assess environment, policies, practices and readiness to change → Coaching and education → Action plan and implement → Reassess environment, policies, practices and readiness to change

Child Care Settings Impact

Child care providers (n=38) reported the following significant increased odds of achieving the best practices after the PSE intervention and controlling for the baseline score:

• 3.84 times more likely to offer fruit not juice to children
• 2.10 times more likely to make water visible and accessible outside
• 3.78 times more likely to use a 1, 2, or 3-week cycle menu
• 2.95 times more likely to use a weekly menu that includes a combination of new and familiar foods
• 2.20 times more likely to use a weekly menu that includes food   from a variety of cultures
• 1.95 times more likely for caregivers to help determine if children are still hungry for serving additional food when children request seconds
• 5.07 times more likely for caregivers to join children at the table for meals
• 8.50 times less likely to use food to encourage positive behavior

Child Care Providers Reported Significant Increased Odds of Physical Activity Best Practice

• 3.27 times more likely to make fixed play equipment available
• 4.43 times more likely to make portable play equipment available outdoors
• 13.86 times more likely to make available outdoor play space that has plenty of space for running or wheeled toy use
• 6.8 times more likely to make available indoor place space for physical activity
• 2.36 times more likely to offer parents screen time education
• 1.66 times more likely to communicate physical activity policy to parents
• 2.22 times more likely to have a physical activity policy
• 6.48 times more likely to serve meals family style

What Our Participants Are Saying

“I have witnessed less stress in the office, better employee relations and the staff are making healthier lunch choices.”