The Challenges
10% of all men, women and children in the Granite State are food insecure1
26.6% of adults living in New Hampshire are obese2
33.3% of adults living in New Hampshire consume less than one fruit per day and 17.3% consume less than one vegetable per day3
The SNAP-Ed Solution – The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) provides funding to promote better nutrition and prevent obesity where low-income people live, learn, eat, shop, work, and play.
Shop
Help families stretch food budgets and choose healthy options
Learn
Introduce kids to fruits and vegetables through classes, after school programs and school gardens
Live
Connect low-income families with healthy resources in their neighborhoods and communities
Eat
Teach low-income families how to prepare healthy foods
The Results – Adults / Youth
Fifteen Extension Teachers conducted 4,185 evidence-based nutrition education lessons to 1,662 adults in all ten counties
377 adults with Limited English Proficiency participated in single sessions and an additional 118 participated in group sessions
37.2% adults increased eating more than one vegetable each day 30.4% adults increased eating more than one fruit each day
3,260 youth in all ten counties received 19,299 evidence-based nutrition and physical activity lessons
27% of students in 3rd-5th grade improved the amount of time they are physically active
29% of students in 3rd-5th grade increased their vegetable intake
The Results – Changes in Policies, Systems and the Environment
Many farmers markets in New Hampshire are now part of Granite State Market Match; a USDA FINI funded initiative, in collaboration with the NH Food Bank and Wholesome Wave. SNAP-Ed collaborated with this effort to provide information for SNAP eligibles about the markets that are participating in Granite State Market Match. The total SNAP dollars redeemed was similar in 2016 and 2017. The number of transactions were lower by about 1,000 in 2017. However, the average customer transaction increased by $3.21.
Three Food Pantries increased the variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and protein sources offered to 1,225 clients.
The Nutrition Nuggets newsletter was provided to 52 schools and reached over 14,000 students and their families at the elementary level. An additional 1,300 newsletters were provided to families in Spanish.
Nine schools with 1,849 students benefitted from changes made when their wellness policies were updated, including access to healthier foods and opportunities for increased physical activity.
Participant and Teacher Comments
- These classes have taught me more about food that I had no idea about. For example, I did not know there was a difference between whole wheat and other wheats. My children and I are able to make healthier choices.
- It has made me aware of the food I eat. Learned some new information on nutrition from reading labels, which I was not doing before. Loved the class, I also learned some new healthy recipes.
- Learning healthy crockpot dishes gives me a way to stretch my budget and feed my kids healthy food even on busy days. I love that my sons got to try the food before I have to buy anything. It is a blessing to see my picky eater excited about learning to cook and eating healthy.
- As a teacher, it’s awesome to see the children learning more about food in general. They can make healthy choices for themselves or try to limit the not so healthy choices to once in a while! I don’t think it’s something that parents talk a lot about at home because they just don’t think about it or are too busy. So it’s important to educate the children so they can also make healthy choices!
- We are thrilled that this program supports the health curriculum of our grade level and school district. The children enjoy the activities, discussions, and look forward to the tastings.
References
1https://www.nhfoodbank.org/about-us/statistics/
2https://stateofobesity.org/states/nh
3https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/state-local-programs/profiles/new-hamp...
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In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. University of New Hampshire, U.S. Department of Agriculture and N.H. counties cooperating. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The preparation of this document was financed under a contract with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services. This material was funded by USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP.
