With continued COVID-19 restrictions and uncertainties, the Clinton County Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) Assistant decided face-to-face classes were no longer the safest way to reach clients and deliver programs. The SNAP-Ed Assistant, using innovation and a newly developed skillset, started offering virtual programming to clients. Lessons utilized resources from the Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum: a curriculum that focuses on providing opportunities for participants to gain knowledge and skills to create behavior change that will lead to a healthy lifestyle within the confines of a limited budget. 

A private Facebook group proved to be the easiest way to provide educational content to participants. Facebook Live made it possible to provide direct education and a weekly time for clients to interact with the SNAP-Ed Assistant; without the risks involved in meeting face-to-face. Live videos were presented and posted weekly alongside recipes, handouts, and additional resources related to the weekly topic. Completing all lessons, 14 adults graduated from the program. Program outcomes were measured using a pre-and post-survey. Over two months, behavior outcomes were evident in multiple areas. The results revealed: 79% ate more red, orange, and green vegetables; 50% cooked dinner at home more often; 65% improved their overall food safety procedures; 75% improved their food resource management, and 86% made efforts to be more active every day. 

One participant, excited about starting the program, recruited nine additional participants to join the sessions allowing for more group engagement and meaningful discussion. This group continues to meet monthly to discuss budgeting and share meal planning ideas.