banner

Lewis & Clark County

SNAP-Ed’s Substantial Impact in Lewis & Clark County

Published: 2020
By Kara Tangedal
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed), known in Montana as the 'Buy, Eat, Live Better Program,' teaches SNAP-Ed eligible youth and adults in the locations they eat, live, learn, work, play, and shop. The program collaborates with community and statewide partners to leverage resources and increase program outreach to eligible audiences, empowering organizations and individuals to create changes in policies, systems, and environments that make the healthy choice the easy choice for all Montanans. In the 2019-20 year, Lewis and Clark County Family and Consumer Sciences was invited to talk with a group of young men who were learning to become skilled tradesmen. One participant approached the instructor after class with detailed questions and ideas about incorporating more vegetables into his diet. Offering the knowledge and skills to make behavioral changes created a positive impact for the young laborer and resulted in Extension being invited back to reinforce the SNAP-Ed teachings later in the semester. Our community has indicated a high need for the Buy, Eat, Live Better Program, and their reactions help enforce our drive to meet those needs. During the weekly COVID-19 Food Assistance Program distribution of food boxes, we used the time to talk with recipients about healthy food behaviors and give out SNAP-Ed recipes and tip sheets.
4-H families also benefit from SNAP education in their food and nutrition projects.