SNAP-Ed's role in addressing food and nutrition insecurity in the 2025 Farm Bill

Session Summary: SNAP-Ed has grown into a prominent USDA anti-hunger program that uses ongoing, comprehensive, multi-level public health approaches to promote healthy eating and physical activity in disproportionately affected communities. Marking SNAP-Ed's 33rd anniversary, this session will highlight its role in addressing rising rates of food and nutrition insecurity and the increased prevalence of chronic diseases.
Participants will learn how SNAP-Ed, under the umbrella of SNAP, can increasingly maximize its revenue-neutral impact to implement community-led approaches to real-world challenges and opportunities. The continued rising costs of food for SNAP participants makes SNAP-Ed key in providing support to choose healthy options. This session will feature insights into ASNNA’s goals, closely aligned with FRAC’s priorities, for the 2025 Farm Bill. Attendees will leave equipped with the knowledge about policy changes expanding the reach of SNAP-Ed, including:
1. Modernizing the SNAP Promotion Rule: Enable SNAP-Ed programs to provide information about changes to and health benefits of SNAP and other federal nutrition assistance programs.
2. Updating SNAP-Ed Targeting Requirements: Expand access to social marketing campaigns through 'best available' community locations when low-income dominant sites are unavailable.
3. Flexibility During Emergencies: Grant USDA authority to waive lengthy State Plan amendment processes to respond to crises disproportionately impacting SNAP-eligible populations.
4. Increased SNAP-Ed Participation: Advocate for funding increases to $900 million to reach a larger proportion of the 90 million people eligible for SNAP-Ed.
5. Support for Key Frameworks: Protect the Thrifty Food Plan and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, essential for enabling healthy diets among SNAP-Ed participants.