Creating a Healthier California CalFresh Healthy Living, California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed) program, works toward a California where everyone is healthy, active, and nourished. It is the largest nutrition education program in the United States, serving low-resourced Californians by promoting and supporting healthy living through good nutrition, increased physical activity, and healthy community changes. About one-third of all Californians – more than 10.7 million adults, adolescents, and children throughout the state – are eligible for CalFresh Healthy Living services.
CalFresh Healthy Living programming includes Direct Education, interactive classes that engage participants in learning about budget-conscious strategies for healthful eating and staying physically active.
7,761 direct education interventions across 1,857 sites
201,088 direct education participants reached
SNAC is a state-level collaborative with active representation from all state agencies and nonprofits that implement USDA Food and Nutrition programs. SNAC works collectively to improve the health of Californians, especially those with limited resources.
Each year, SNAC members select a new or existing initiative of focus. In 2022, SNAC launched a Community Gardens Initiative to promote local neighborhood gardens across California. Prior initiatives include the Farmers Market Initiative, which focused on increasing shoppers’ knowledge and use of food and nutrition program benefits at local farmers markets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SNAC promoted pandemic nutrition benefits and guided individuals to programs and opportunities in their communities.