SNAP education efforts need funding
RE: SNAP education program to end amid federal funding cuts.
Food insecurity continues to be an area of concern for the nation and the Midwest, affecting individuals, families and entire communities. According to Feeding America, in Illinois, “1,647,630 people are facing hunger and of them 419,180 are children.”
These numbers highlight the urgent need for support, education and resources to reduce hunger and its long-term effects. There is strong evidence that links food insecurity with an increased risk for obesity in adults and children, as individuals often rely on low-cost, energy-dense foods that lack essential nutrients. In 2022, health care expenses in Illinois related to high obesity rates approached $17.6 billion, according to the American Diabetes Association, underscoring the heavy burden poor nutrition places on the state.
Food insecurity can also negatively impact school performance, concentration and mental focus, thereby influencing students’ academic success and future careers.
As a college student who once struggled with food insecurity, I relied on food pantries to stay nourished and succeed in my studies. As a nutrition major, my education provided me with valuable knowledge about balanced eating, budgeting tools and local community resources that improved my well-being.
Unfortunately, not everyone has access to such education; however, the SNAP-Ed program provides these essential lessons to low-income individuals and families.
Similar to my experience, participants in SNAP-Ed gain lifelong skills that help them make healthy, affordable food choices. The program’s success is evident as “an estimated 5,060 cases of obesity and 570 cases of food insecurity were prevented across Illinois children and adults in a single year.” Moreover, SNAP-Ed is projected to generate “between $5.4 million and $9.4 million” in future benefits, according to Illinois Extension. Although its economic impact may seem small compared to health care costs, effective nutrition education is vital. I urge state governments and local agencies to strengthen partnerships and increase funding for programs like SNAP-Ed.
Irina Bezuglova
Bolingbrook