Nutrition Policy Institute released three research briefs that capture how the elimination of SNAP-Ed funding as a result of H.R.1 is impacting local health departments and community organizations as well their vision for the future of nutrition and physical activity programming.
NPI interviewed local health departments, or LHDs, and California Department of Public Health leadership and administered an online survey to community organizations who partnered with LHDs to deliver SNAP-Ed programming in federal fiscal year 2025. Survey and interview questions assessed the anticipated sustainability of nutrition and physical activity initiatives without the support of SNAP-Ed; how the loss of SNAP-Ed may impact community health; and the desired features of a future nutrition and physical activity program.
Findings showed that SNAP-Ed was a primary funding source for nutrition and physical activity-related work and much of that work is at risk of not continuing. During the program sunsetting, LHDs prioritized building capacity of community partners through training and resource provision. The loss of access to education and health-promoting environments is expected to negatively impact the health of community members. Participants shared that a future program should include many of the same elements as SNAP-Ed, prioritizing accessible, culturally responsive, and community-centered programming and interventions that address health across the lifespan; however, a new program should be both more flexible and responsive.
These findings not only highlight the impacts of the monumental loss of SNAP-Ed but also provide insight into how a future nutrition and physical activity program could be oriented to best serve California communities.
The research briefs were created by NPI's Amanda Linares, Reka Vasicsek, Ramsha Baig, Sridharshi Hewawitharana, and Miranda Westfall Brown. These materials were created as part of a contract with the California Department of Public Health with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.