About the Project
The SNAP to Health Website is part of a project to improve nutrition in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. This innovative initiative made science-based policy recommendations to improve nutrition for the 40 million low-income participants in the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Purpose
SNAP to Health seeks to identify the barriers, best practices, and promising innovations for improving nutrition within the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The project made policy recommendations for redesigning the program to promote health and prevent adult and childhood obesity.
Project Components
Survey
Designed and conducted a survey of stakeholder groups to identify barriers and opportunities for improving nutrition in SNAP. This survey provided an overview of state, local, and private sector organizations’ views of the opportunities and barriers to improving nutrition among SNAP beneficiaries.
NHANES Data Analysis
Conducted the first statistical analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data to determine the effects of SNAP on nutrition and obesity in youth, ages 4-19. Our analysis provided important data about the nutritional outcomes of children enrolled in the program. including their obesity rates, to help frame future policy recommendations.
Policy Recommendations
Developed policy recommendations to improve nutrition in SNAP. The recommendations are a valuable resource for policymakers and advocates as they consider future strategies to strengthen SNAP and re-authorizations of the Farm Bill.
Interactive Website
Established an interactive website to serve as a national forum for public discourse on improving nutrition in SNAP and recommendations for the next Farm Bill.
