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.
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 will be available for download soon:
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. The following list captures the
active members of California’s SNAC: