SNAP-Ed

SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education) teaches SNAP recipients how to make healthy food choices with a limited budget. Through SNAP-Ed, people can learn how to lead healthy lifestyles and prepare nutritious, affordable meals. All SNAP-Ed programs follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA MyPlate.

Learn about the eligibility requirements for SNAP benefits.

Program Objectives

SNAP-Ed focuses on five things:

  • Dietary Quality: Eating healthy and staying active.
  • Food Dollar Management: Stretching food dollars and preparing nutritious meals.
  • Food Security: Ensuring that SNAP households have enough to eat and know about SNAP's benefits.
  • Food Safety: Preparing and storing food safely.
  • Home Gardening: Growing fresh, nutritious produce at home.

For additional information about SNAP-Ed in Louisiana, visit the Louisiana State SNAP-Ed Program page.


SNAP-Ed Audience

SNAP-Ed's audience includes SNAP recipients and applicants. Other low-income people can benefit from SNAP-Ed as long as the program generally targets SNAP recipients and applicants. However, these projects require an approved waiver, and at least half of the target audience must have a household income at or below 185% of poverty level. Incarcerated persons are not considered a SNAP-Ed audience.

Other SNAP-Ed target audiences include:

  • Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) recipients
  • Faith-based organizations
  • Head Start sites
  • Shelters for people experiencing homelessness
  • LaCHIP recipients
  • Low-income housing sites
  • Medicaid recipients
  • School meal services
  • WIC recipients (in collaboration with WIC staff)
  • Retail outlets serving SNAP families


Nutrition Interventions

SNAP-Ed nutrition interventions follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. SNAP-Ed provides access to lessons and educational materials about nutrition, physical activity, food budgeting, food safety, and gardening. SNAP-Ed nutrition education activities focus on:

  • Eating more fruits and vegetables
  • Exercise and physical fitness
  • Healthy school nutrition environments
  • Supporting nutrition education activities from the SNAP Office

LSU AgCenter nutrition agents and educators provide services in each region of the state. Find your SNAP-Ed agent or educator using the directory on our programs page!

Innovate . Educate . Improve Lives

The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture

Top