University of Illinois Extension SNAP-Ed programs at risk of elimination

URBANA, Ill. (WAND) - Changes in federal funding have put the University of Illinois Extension's “SNAP-Ed” programs at risk of elimination.

The Senate is considering a House-passed reconciliation bill which would end nationwide funding for SNAP-Ed.

If the bill is passed, Illinois will see extensive changes including:

Elimination of programs like Hunters Feeding Illinois and mobile food markets
Elimination of 230 Illinois SNAP-Ed program staff positions
Over 60 IDHS Family and Community Resource Centers would no longer receive SNAP-Ed information
Over 8,600 seniors would no longer receive nutrition education information

Jennifer McCaffrey, Assistant Dean for the Family and Consumer Sciences programs at University of Illinois Extension, said SNAP-Ed programs are "part of the culture and the services that community members rely on."

"Children come home and they tell their parents the stories about how they tried a new recipe, or how they tried these new fruits and vegetables and they ask their parents to buy it, but they don't realize where that information is coming from and it's coming from people like us at the University of Illinois who are out there in their communities making a difference in their communities everyday," McCaffrey said.

SNAP-Ed reaches over 1 million Illinois residents annually, making healthy food options more accessible throughout the state.