Overview

Alaska’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Program (SNAP-Ed) program provides nutrition education for low income Alaskans. The goal of SNAP-Ed is to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP will make healthy food choices within a limited budget and choose physically active lifestyles consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate.

Facts & Data

  • As of 2022, nearly one in five households in Alaska (19%) have recently experienced food insecurity, defined here as sometimes or often not having enough food to eat. Households with children are slightly more affected than those without children (26% vs 19%). 
  • Diet and Health: Studies show that participants in SNAP-Ed programs are more likely to increase their fruit and vegetable intake, engage in physical activity, and maintain healthier weight levels.
  • Economic Contribution: For every $1 of SNAP benefits spent, an estimated $1.50–$1.80 is generated in economic activity, supporting local farmers, grocers, and food suppliers.
  • Subsistence Hunting & Fishing SNAP benefits can be used to purchase subsistence gear, such as hunting and fishing gear, and some gardening supplies.

Solution

  • Practical Nutrition Education: SNAP-Ed offers free classes and resources to help Alaskans plan affordable meals, develop cooking skills, and make nutritious food choices.
  • Community Engagement: Partnering with schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations, SNAP-Ed promotes a culture of health and wellness throughout Alaska.
  • Locally-Informed Programs: Recognizing Alaska’s unique challenges, SNAP-Ed emphasizes the importance of traditional diets, foraging, and integrating local, affordable options into meal planning.
  • Encouraging Healthy Lifestyles: The program inspires behavioral change by focusing on both nutrition and physical activity, ensuring lasting impacts for participants and their families.

Program Goals

 

Resources

Related Organizations

Other Related Resources

Contact us

Women's, Infants, & Children (WIC)

PO Box 110612, Juneau, AK 99801