2022-2023 P-EBT School Year Benefits for Children Under 6
From SNAP-Ed:
Children under age 6 who live in a household that receives Basic Food will receive retroactive P-EBT benefits as a lump sum for each month they were active on food benefits from Sept. 1, 2022, through May 11, 2023, the date the federal PHE designation ended. Monthly benefits for eligible months: Sept. 1, 2022 – April 30, 2023: $43.88 per month Prorated amount for May 1 – 11, 2023: $28.94
P-EBT automatic eligibility determination and benefit issuance process: In collaboration with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, DSHS is continuing to work with their third-party vendor, Accenture, to determine eligibility for P-EBT automatically and to load benefits onto a designated P-EBT card. Eligible children will receive an approval letter in the mail, and newly eligible children will also receive a P-EBT card. Families who have misplaced or gotten rid of previous P-EBT cards can call 833-518-0282 for a replacement card. As this is the final year of P-EBT, families are encouraged to use their benefits. Any unused P-EBT benefits will be removed after 274 days of non-usage. Any transaction, regardless of amount, will prevent removal of these benefits for 274 days from the transaction date. Families can sign up for text message alerts about the status of their child’s P-EBT by going to textpebt.dshs.wa.gov and filling out a simple verification form. Please contact the P-EBT Contact Center at 833-518-0282 for additional support.
– Posted July 31, 2023
Meet the Coordinator: SNAP-Ed Nutrition
This month’s coordinator spotlight:
Julie Evenson, SNAP-Ed Nutrition Program
SNAP-Ed Nutrition is Washington State’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education. It is a practical, hands on nutrition education program available to Washington Basic Food (food stamp) recipients and schools where 50% or more of their students receive free or reduced lunches. This nutrition education program reaches youth and adults in the Kitsap community with information to help participants practice healthy eating habits and choose physically active lifestyles consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and Food Guidance System (ChooseMyPlate.gov).
Let’s learn a little more about Julie and the SNAP-Ed Nutrition Program:
How did you first get involved with SNAP-Ed Nutrition?
I was an athlete growing up, as a result the benefits associated with proper nutrition were introduced to me at an early age. My mom wanted to help give me a competitive edge and researched how to fuel your body for peak performance. She fed me nutrient dense meals and explained how these foods would give me the energy and strength I needed for games and for lifelong health. When I went to college and discovered there were career opportunities in Nutrition, and I could help others lead healthy lifestyles I was all in.
What is the most rewarding part about your job?
The most rewarding aspect about my job is when we succeed in making the healthy choice the easy choice for our SNAP-eligible clients. Whether it’s working with a local food bank to transition them to a “dignified” grocery store shopping model or convincing a school to incorporate “Healthy Celebrations” and “Physical Activity” breaks in their day. It’s the positive health impacts these types of projects produce that keeps me motivated to continue to do this type of work.
What is one important or valuable feature of SNAP-Ed Nutrition that is not commonly known?
Our program within the extension office is unique. One hundred percent of SNAP-Ed’s time, energy and resources goes towards only serving SNAP-eligible (low-income) individuals and families in Kitsap County. As a result, we have to be mindful of what we can say yes to when community members approach us on opportunities. In addition, we don’t have volunteer opportunities within our program, but the low-income individuals we serve do benefit from people in the community who volunteer at the local food banks, for the Kitsap Harvest Gleaning program, school backpack programs, at meal sites etc. If you would like to make a difference by volunteering, please reach out to these partners
Any other information you’d like people to know?
We currently serve students and families in the Bremerton School District through the Fruit & Vegetable Grant and partnering with school staff on incorporating Physical Activity breaks. We are also looking for Farm to School opportunities in this coming year.
SNAP-Ed Community Partners include Kitsap Conservation District, Central Kitsap Food Bank, St. Vincent De Paul Food Bank & Women Shelter, Community Service Office, Kitsap Harvest, Kitsap Public Health, WSU Extension Food System program, Healthy Living & Active Living Coalition, Kitsap Food Bank Coalition, and Kitsap Food System Round Table group.
For more information about our SNAP-Ed Nutrition programming please visit our Home page!
With warm summer temperatures here, please be sure to take good care of your livestock during extreme heat. WSU created this helpful tipsheet. Let us know if you have any questions about livestock and heat stress. Feel free to contact Dan McCarty, our WSU livestock specialist at dan.mccarty@wsu.edu
– Posted July 20, 2023
SNAP Produce Match – through June 30th.
Now through June 30th, earn $10 when you spend at least $10 on fruits and vegetables with your SNAP/EBT card! This temporary increase may end earlier if funding is used up before that date.
Shoppers who use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/EBT benefits can stretch their food budget to buy more fruits and vegetables with SNAP Produce Match at participating grocery stores! Look for the SNAP Produce Match logo at your local grocery store.
The growing season is upon us! We are looking for several volunteers to help pick-up fresh locally grown produce at donation stations, farmers markets and our regular routes at grocery stores during the week.
Donation Stations & Farmers Market Drivers – We have stations located from Kingston to Port Orchard. Click here for map. Drivers will be using their own vehicle and coordinating with Neighborhood Captains on the locations and timing of pick-ups. Drivers will weigh donated produce in the Ikea bag with the luggage scale provided to them and record the total weight on the bottom of the Captains Log, then transport the produce and log to Kitsap Harvests aggregation/distribution hub. Good communication is a must to ensure timely pick-ups and drop-off.
Grocery Stores & Food Bank – This is a regular route done during the weekdays and possible Saturday. Involves using our box truck and coordinating with sites on pick-up timing and what items we are needing at the time. Drivers would pick-up food and bring it back to the warehouse for weighing and sorting by volunteers. Also, it is important keeping-up on truck maintenance log and communicating any issues ASAP.
For both positions we are looking for helpful individuals who appreciate our mission of, feeding families from front yards, foodbanks & farms, and enjoying getting out into the community. Good driving record is important too.
If you are interested or know anybody that would enjoy this volunteer activity please let us know and or register at Volunteer with Kitsap Harvest. If multiple people are interested it would be great to divide and conquer!
If you have any questions let us know at hub@kitsapharvest.org.
Let’s learn a little more about Amy and the Water Stewardship Program:
How did you first get involved with Water Stewardship?
I have always had a passion for the outdoors, nature, science and the interwoven connectivity between human life and the natural world. I completed my undergrad in environmental policy with a minor in environmental science, and it was during that time that I realized the importance of conservation and preservation in a quickly changing world, and how much it meant to me personally. Being a parent, it’s important for me to leave a world where my kids and future generations can enjoy all that is associated with a healthy environment. I believe that when people understand and respect our human connections with the environment and realize we are very much a part of these valuable ecosystems, they will make changes to protect the places we live for generations to come. Washington State University Extension is the avenue in which I can achieve those goals through education and outreach in our community; coordinating programs where people can learn about the importance of these connections and how they can get involved to make a positive impact in our local ecosystems.
Checking out the GPC booth at Kitsap Salmon Tours and posing for a pic with a great group of colleagues.
What is the most rewarding part about your job?
There are so many rewarding aspects of my job. One, I get to work with some of the coolest people around; researchers, biologists, ecologists, planners, engineers, water quality specialists, stormwater experts, restoration experts, and educators to name a few. Two, the volunteers in the Water Stewardship program are amazing. I am consistently blown away by the passion, appreciation, and dedication these folks have for the programs and the volunteer work that they do. Three, the work that I do is very fulfilling, I get to be a small part in protecting this place for generations to come.
What is one important or valuable feature of Water Stewardship that is not commonly known?
People think they need to have a background or knowledge of stream ecology, salmon biology, or marine biology to take these trainings, but you don’t. Anyone from any education background can take these trainings, the goal is to provide accessible learning opportunities for all. There is nothing more rewarding than watching those who don’t have any in-depth environmental education become so inspired and in awe of what they learn and take away from these programs.
Any other information you’d like people to know?
We are part of the Clean Water Kitsap partnership. The Clean Water Kitsap Partnership is a nationally recognized multi-agency partnership that was created to reduce flooding, prevent pollution, and restore fish habitat through stormwater management activities. One of my colleagues said it best, when he said the Clean Water Kitsap partnership is like its own ecosystem and we all play a vital role in it. I am very fortunate that in my work, I get to give people a firsthand tour of all the partners and their roles in our community (during the Stream Steward training). Trainees are impressed by this collaboration and all the work that goes on behind the scenes to maintain and improve upon the human health and the health of our natural resources here in Kitsap County.
For more information about our Water Stewardship programming please visit our Home page!
– Posted March 28, 2023
Your SNAP food benefits are changing
Here’s what you need to know
Emergency food allotments are ending in February and your food benefit amount will decrease beginning March 2023. From March 2020 to February 2023, the federal government issued temporary emergency funding to provide families with additional food benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting in March 2023
The amount of food benefits you will receive without the emergency benefits will depend on your specific circumstances.
Here’s what you can do
Learn what your new benefit amount will be
Call 877-501-2233 and choose the self-service option or log into your Client Benefit Account at WashingtonConnection.org. Find local resources
Visit findhelp.org or 211.org. SNAP Match Programs increase your food benefits so you can buy more fruits and vegetables.
Report a change
If circumstances in your life have changed, you may qualify for a higher benefit amount. Call 877-501-2233, go to WashingtonConnection.org, or visit your local Community Services Office to report changes in household size, income or expenses.
Jess Sappington, Food Systems / Regional Small Farms
The Regional Small Farms Program supports small to mid-sized farms in Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap Counties by leveraging the broad resources of a major university to resolve issues and create a positive food future for our region.
Let’s learn a little more about Jess and the Regional Small Farms Program:
How did you first get involved with Regional Small Farms?
I went to college for environmental studies and sustainable agriculture. It was there where I first fell in love with farming while I interned on our school’s farm. The farm produced food for a small CSA program, provided fresh food to the local food bank, and worked with disadvantaged youth teaching them about food and farming. Working collaboratively to grow food from seed to harvest and seeing the impact that food had in the community was an amazing experience. After college I went into the Peace Corps. and served in the small island nation of Vanuatu working with their Department of Agriculture. I was assigned to the island of Tanna working with their local extension agents who were assisting farmers with a coffee growers cooperative project. Working with farmers overseas and seeing how those extension agents built relationships within their farm community was inspiring. After coming back and learning more about our states extension system, I knew that was a role that I wanted to explore.
Jess with Farmer Angie Cordiano at Kitsap Farms in Hansville WA
What is the most rewarding part about your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is bringing people together. I love being able to facilitate groups of farmers who are networking and sharing their expertise or a group of community organizations working together on a project. I like to look for additional ways that Extension can benefit farmers and those that we serve. Exploring what could be and being creative on how that happens is what fuels me.
What is one important or valuable feature of Regional Small Farms that is not commonly known?
Most people don’t realize that we are a regional program. We serve farmers in Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap and have extension agents in each county working together to provide technical assistance, education and resource to our farmers. We also have access to statewide WSU specialist and a toolbox full of amazing partners to pull from. I like to say that if we can’t figure out the answer we will find someone who can.
DRIVERS WANTED
