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Nutrition Education Programs

SNAP-Ed SNV bunch-cropped

Nutrition Programs in Pierce County

WSU Pierce County Extension provides accessible and reliable research-based nutrition, food safety and preservation information for the public. We value diversity and strive to build on the assets of the individuals, families, and communities we serve.

EFNEP

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a unique program that helps promote healthy eating and money saving food options.

For more information about EFNEP in Pierce County, check out the webpage or contact Alysia Morgan at alysia.morgan1@wsu.edu or (253) 3227.

SNAP-Ed

WSU Pierce County Extension provides nutrition education programs and workshops designed to provide limited income families with the knowledge and skills to include healthy foods and activities into everyday life. The goals of SNAP-Ed include:

  1. Improving the likelihood that people eligible for SNAP (Basic Food) will make healthy food choices within a limited budget and choose physically active lifestyles that follow current recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025
  2. Make the healthy choice the easy choice where people live, work, play, learn, shop and worship.

For more information about SNAP-Ed contact Linda Mathews (253) 798-7154 or lmathews@wsu.edu.


SNAP-Ed is funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. It can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet. To find out more, 1-877-501-2233. http://foodhelp.wa.gov/

Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact Linda Mathews SNAP-Ed Program Coordinator, at lmathews@wsu.edu or (253) 798-7154 at least two weeks prior to the event.

The Healthy Food Pantry Assessment Toolkit

Food pantries and food banks are being increasingly popular as places where people experiencing hunger get food. The foods offered at food banks have a reputation or history of being shelf-stable items that can be higher in fat and sodium, which aren’t healthy choices. Also, food banks can be difficult places to visit because families or adults may feel embarrassed they need this important source of food. Food bank environments may serve as an opportunity to offer fresh fruits and vegetables and a positive atmosphere to local families, adults, and children who don’t have enough to eat.

This toolkit was developed by members of the WSU-Extension Pierce County Office in partnership with researchers from Colorado State University-Extension as part of the Regional Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Center of Excellence-West (RNECE-W).

 

This page was last updated on May 4, 2020.

Pierce County has the following nutrition programs.
Click on the program below to learn more:

 

EFNEP

SNAP-ED

 

Turnips available at a food bank.

 

Fresh greens and celery available at a food bank.

 

Nutrition education by SNAP-Ed with adults.

 

Orange and green sidewalk sign with "WE ACCEPT EBT"

Local Pierce County Farmers Markets accept EBT (food stamps)!