Partnering with Food Stamp Outreach and Nutrition Education

Partnering with Food Stamp Outreach and Nutrition Education Programs Ryan Johnson, SNAP-Ed Liaison Shelley Sherman, Extension Educator 2012 ABE Summer Institute August 17, 2012

Minnesota SNAP • Eligibility = 165% of FPG or $36, 878 for a family of four • Average monthly grant = $252/household (2011) • $16 minimum • $668 million in federal funds to MN (2011) • 523, 682 people on SNAP in MN (5/12) • 56% of eligible Minnesotans participate (2010) • Beltrami County = 89% • Blue Earth County = 38% • 45% of eligible seniors (60+) participate • Full participation could bring an additional $75 million dollars to MN Sources: DHS, USDA

MN SNAP Characteristics SNAP Cases (12/11) • 34% = Families with Children • 38% = Disabled Adults • 27% = Other Adults • 16% = Seniors • From 12/10 -12/11, overall participation increased by 11% • Participation has nearly doubled since 12/06 • Fastest growth in the last 6 years has been SNAP-eligible children Source: DHS

MN SNAP (12/06 -12/11) • 600, 000 • 500, 000 • People • 400, 000 • 300, 000 • 200, 000 • 100, 000 • 0 • SNAP Children • SNAP Adults • MFIP Food Children • MFIP Food Adults Source: DHS • Dec 2006 • 72, 519 • 118, 936 • 64, 662 • 25, 557 • Dec 2007 • 80, 088 • 129, 216 • 62, 852 • 24, 772 • Dec 2008 • 94, 621 • 140, 997 • 63, 127 • 25, 160 • Dec 2009 • 130, 008 • 190, 432 • 72, 860 • 27, 678 • Dec 2010 • 159, 781 • 231, 815 • 70, 769 • 29, 796 • Dec 2011 • 182, 602 • 265, 760 • 68, 888 • 28, 609

Recent SNAP Changes • • • Combined Application Form simplified – 2011 Benefits available on EBT card up to 1 year – 2008 6 month reporting – 3/1/09 Benefits increased by 13. 6% ($16 minimum) – 4/1/09 Telephone interviews for eligibility and recertification – 10/15/09 No time limit or work requirements for Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) – extended to 9/30/12 Eligibility increased to 165% FPG – 11/1/10 No assets counted or need to be verified – 11/1/10 Expedited SNAP must be issued within 5 working days – 2011 Name changed to SNAP – 2/1/12 Online application (Apply. MN) – 5/12 Source: DHS

Benefits of SNAP For State and Local Communities • Local businesses benefit when SNAP dollars are spent in grocery stores • 80% of benefits are redeemed within 2 weeks; 97% are spent within a month • Every $5 in new SNAP benefits generates $9 in total community spending • Nationwide, at least 8, 900 full-time equivalent jobs are created as a result of SNAP benefits Source: USDA

Benefits of SNAP For Participants • SNAP benefits supplement the budgets of low-income workers so they can stay independent and work toward self-sufficiency. Half of all new participants leave the program within nine months. • SNAP benefits decrease the prevalence of poverty, especially child poverty • Employees whose food needs are met at home have higher productivity and take fewer sick days for themselves and their children Source: USDA

SNAP Outreach 22 Community Action Agencies & hunger relief organizations across Minnesota Goals: • Educate the community • Dispel myths • Provide application assistance • Increase participation, especially among working poor and seniors

SNAP Outreach • Minnesota Food Help. Line (1 -888 -711 -1151) Statewide hotline to help people find food resources and screen for SNAP eligibility • Bridge to Benefits (bridgetobenefits. org) - Online tool to help people find out if they are eligible for SNAP and other public programs • Eat Well to Be Well – Materials to encourage seniors to apply for SNAP

SNAP Marketing Campaign • Public-Private Partnership between General Mills, Hunger Free MN, Hunger Solutions MN, DHS, and USDA • Focus on seniors and newly eligible Jill Hiebert Hunger Solutions Minnesota 651 -789 -9843 jhiebert@hungersolutions. org To order materials: http: //www. nationsprint. com/clients/hungerfreemn/

SNAP Marketing Campaign • Radio Ads and DJ on-air advertising • Bus interior ads • Digital (website) ads • Grocery store receipt ads • Stickers placed on food shelf food • Posters with tear-off pads • Mailing inserts and postcards • Placemats for congregate dining sites • Translated materials are be available

SNAP Education (SNAP-Ed) = Simply Good Eating SNAP-Ed is free nutrition education for SNAPeligible clients. • Teaches the importance of a quality diet • Helps people purchase healthy foods within a limited budget • Teaches how to prepare healthy meals with quick and easy recipes • Encourages a physically active lifestyle • Uses evidence-based, behaviorally-focused curriculum

SNAP Education (SNAP-Ed) The three behavioral outcomes that are encouraged by USDA, Food and Nutrition Service: • Make half your plate fruits and vegetables, eat whole grains, and switch to fat-free or low-fat milk products. • Increase physical activity and reduce time spent in sedentary behaviors. • Maintain appropriate calorie balance during each stage of life—childhood, adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy and breastfeeding and older age.

Why is SNAP-Ed important? • Low-income households have a higher prevalence of health conditions related to poor nutrition than higher income households • Obesity rates have increased the most among the lowest income levels – Obesity puts people at a greater risk for heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and some cancers • Every $1 spent on nutrition education, saves up to $10 in long-term public health care costs • Well nourished children have better school attendance and are more focused on learning • Good nutrition may help older adults remain independent and live in their own homes rather than long-term care facilities Sources: USDA, CDC-National Center for Health Statistics

Why is SNAP-Ed important? “This class has been a great help to me, not only in healthy eating but in using wisdom when grocery shopping as well. Today I eat healthier, with confidence in knowing I’m making good and nutritious choices. I greatly appreciate the encouragement in healthy eating and helping me to incorporate an exercise routine as well. ” - Transitional Housing Program Participant, Clay County

MN SNAP-Ed Providers University of Minnesota Extension (87 counties) – http: //www. extension. umn. edu/Nutrition/contact. html – 612 -625 -7070 Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (6 reservations) – Bois Forte • Theresa Drift (218 -757 -3295) – Fond du Lac • Amber Ahonen (218 -878 -3764) – Grand Portage • Jaye Clearwater (218 -475 -2235) – Leech Lake • Ruby Lowry (218 -335 -4515) – Mille Lacs • Melanie Garbow (320 -532 -7742) – White Earth • Colleen Blattenbauer (218 -983 -3285)

Simply Good Eating Partners Programming is offered in a variety of settings: – – – ABE classes Food shelves Housing providers County Human Services offices Employment Services Providers* Work. Force Centers* Community Action Agencies WIC clinics Senior dining sites Schools Head Start/child care centers Grocery stores *Nutrition education counts as a core activity for MFIP participants

Simply Good Eating (FY 2011) University of Minnesota Extension – – Programming in 87 counties 294, 293 direct contacts with 67, 224 participants 573, 794 indirect education contacts with participants As a result of participation in Simply Good Eating classes: • • 72% of adults (18 -59) report eating more fruits 66% of adults (18 -59) report eating more vegetables 62% of older adults (60+) report eating more fruits 58% of older adults (60+) report eating more vegetables 60% of adults (18 -59) report eating more low and fat-free dairy products 53% of older adults (60+) report eating more low and fat-free dairy products 71% of adults (18 -59) report being more physically active 56% of older adults (60+) report being more physically active

Questions? Ryan Johnson SNAP-Ed Liaison ryan. johnson 1@state. mn. us 651 -431 -3854 Shelley Sherman Extension Educator, West Metro sherm 028@umn. edu 612 -626 -9279