SNAP Recipients Increase Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP benefits were designed to help low income households have access to a basic level of nutrition.  The Kentucky Nutrition Education Program empowers participants to achieve and maintain good health by encouraging healthy habits like eating more fruits and vegetables.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, CDC 1 in 5 of Kentuckians eat the daily recommended amount of fruits and 2 in 5 Kentuckians eat the daily recommended amount of vegetables.  Consumption of fruits and vegetables in vital in maintaining good health.  The Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum is designed to teach nutrition, cooking skills, food budgeting, and promoting physical activity to limited resource audiences.    Of the adults who completed the Healthy Choices for Every Body program who receive SNAP benefits 88% of those clients reported an increase in their consumption of fruit daily.  The same group of adults that receive SNAP benefits also reported a 64% increase in eating red and orange vegetables, and a 60% increase in eating dark green vegetables each week.              As a result of the skills they were taught in the Healthy Choices for Every Body program 64% of participants said they cook dinner at home more often, which allows them to increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables within the parameters of their limited food budget.