California’s State Nutrition Action Council (SNAC)

California’s SNAC is a state-level collaborative with active representation from all state agencies and nonprofits that implement USDA programs. Together, the SNAC partnering organizations reach underserved people throughout their life span, providing food benefits, nutrition education, healthy community changes, and obesity prevention services to reduce food insecurity and improve the quality of life of Californians.

If you are interested in developing state-level, cross-program partnerships, download the SNAC Toolkit for more information. You can also view the SNAC Governance Guidelines for details on how the coalition is structured and operates.

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Initiatives | Members

SNAC Initiatives

SNAC initiatives focus on common goals, promote collaboration, and use integrated approaches to connect efforts and resources to reduce duplication and maximize state resources.

Community Gardens Initiative

In 2022, SNAC launched an initiative to target policy changes that support gardening at the local level. Recognizing the many health benefits of community gardens, the council developed a toolkit for local policymakers to develop and sustain gardens in their communities.

Detailed information about the initiative can be found on the Community Gardens Initiative page and the resources listed below are available for download:

Farmers Market Initiative (FMI)

In 2018, SNAC focused its efforts on increasing low-resourced shoppers' utilization of their food and nutrition program benefits at their local farmers markets. By partnering with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for the Farmers Market Initiative, SNAC promoted Market Match, a program that allows CalFresh participants to stretch the food dollars they spend at farmers markets.

COVID Response Nutrition
Communications
Campaign
(CRNCC)

SNAC has developed a templated messaging campaign to help Californians access food and nutrition programs and resources to stretch their food dollars and eat right when money is tight. These promotional tools were designed to complement the work already being done to guide individuals to appropriate programs and opportunities in their communities.

SNAC Members

SNACs were established to maximize nutrition education efforts and improve coordination and cooperation among the SNAP-Ed State agencies, FNS nutrition assistance programs, public health agencies, and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. For a list of SNAC member organizations and contacts, please see the SNAC Directory.

  • CalFresh Healthy Living, California Department of Social Services
  • CalFresh and Nutrition Branch, California Department of Social Services
  • CalFresh Healthy Living, University of California
  • California Department of Aging
  • California Department of Education
  • California Department of Food and Agriculture's Office of Farm to Fork
  • California Department of Public Health - Nutrition and Physical Activity Branch
  • California Department of Public Health - Women, Infants & Children Division
  • Catholic Charities of California
  • Child and Adult Care Food Program Branch, California Department of Social Services
  • Leah's Pantry
  • Public Health Institute, Center for Wellness and Nutrition
  • University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources