Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed)
Our mission is to inspire and empower under-served Alaskans to improve their health by promoting awareness, education, and community change through partnerships, resulting in healthy eating, active living that contribute to a better quality of life.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Nutrition Education (SNAP-Ed) is a nationwide nutrition education and obesity prevention program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). Alaska’s SNAP-Ed provides nutrition education for low income Alaskans. The goal of SNAP-Ed is to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP will make healthy food choices within a limited budget and choose physically active lifestyles consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate. The SNAP-Ed program provides evidenced-based nutrition education classes that are aligned with policy, systems and environmental change strategies to create long lasting community change. An integral partner in this statewide effort is the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, SNAP-Ed (UAF CES SNAP-Ed).
What we do
Cooperative Extension Service nutrition educators provide priority populations with the education and information needed to help incorporate healthier choices in daily life. Nutrition educators also work with community partners to assess their organization and help create and implement policy, system and environmental changes that support making the healthier choice the easier choice, leading to long-term sustainable change. FY25 program services are in Anchorage, Bethel, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Mat-Su, Nenana, Nome and Tok. We also promote the Alaska SNAP-Ed Social Marketing Campaign Every Bite Counts and the Alaska Mini Mags to help provide more culturally relevant programs.
Who We Reach
The majority of Cooperative Extension Service’s reach is school aged youth (5-17) and their families. The program also works with SNAP-Ed eligible adults.
