House Agriculture Committee Evaluates Effectiveness in SNAP-Ed

by | Jun 22, 2016 | 5 Ag Stories, News

Today, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition education programs in promoting positive long-term health outcomes within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Members heard from a panel of witnesses who discussed the history and evolution of SNAP-Ed, various program models, how SNAP-Ed complements and works with other nutrition education programs, and the efforts currently in place to ensure dollars spent on the program are used effectively. This hearing is a continuation of the committee?s ongoing review known as thePast, Present, and Future of SNAP.

?As we continue our review of SNAP, it is important we look into all aspects of the program, including SNAP-Ed, to ensure federal dollars are being used effectively. For many Americans, obesity and chronic disease are major health concerns. Programs like SNAP-Ed are working to combat these health risks by promoting healthy lifestyles and educating SNAP recipients on how to purchase and cook nutritious food options. Today, we discussed the importance of measuring outcomes and evaluating effectiveness of nutrition education programs to see where improvements can be made in promoting health and improving the diets among families across the country,? said Chairman K. Michael Conaway.

SNAP-Ed is a component of SNAP with the mission to ?improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP will make healthy choices within a limited budget and choose active lifestyles consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate.?

Written testimony provided by the witnesses from today?s hearing is linked below. Click here for more information, including Chairman Conaway’s opening statement and the archived webcast.

Witness List:
Panel I
Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Senior Vice President, Community Health & Equity, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI

Ms. Susan Foerster, Founding Member, Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators, Carmichael, CA

Dr. Shreela Sharma, Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Texas, Co-Founder of Brighter Bites, Houston, TX

Dr. Jo Britt-Rankin, Associate Dean & Extension Professor, Extension Committee on Organization & Policy, Columbia, MO