SNAP-Ed/Eat Smart New York Program Launch Scheduled for July 15 at The Farm at St. Joseph in Brentwood

Grant-Funded Program Seeks to Improve Health and Reduce Obesity Among Low Income Families in Nassau and Suffolk

Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Suffolk County and Nassau County, along with Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), is hosting the launch of the Long Island’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/Eat Smart New York (SNAP-Ed/ESNY) Program at The Farm at St. Joseph, 1725 Brentwood Road, Brentwood, on Wednesday, July 15 at 10am. All media is invited to attend.

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Suffolk County will oversee the SNAP-Ed/Eat Smart New York Obesity Prevention Program through 2019. CCE will serve as the lead agency, working with CCE of Nassau and Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE).

The program will be funded for five years through a $6.5 million grant from the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. The grant is part of $14.7 million in federal funding provided to the state for nutritional education and assistance.

The goal of Eat Smart New York is to improve health and reduce obesity among low income families who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or are SNAP eligible.

CCE of Suffolk/Nassau and FREE will bring education to families in targeted schools and communities to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, decrease consumption of sugar- sweetened beverages and increase physical activity. Staff will also educate families who are eligible for food assistance but not yet receiving this benefit. A variety of education strategies will be utilized to reach low-income families—including policy and environmental approaches, and social media and marketing.

The USDA reports that more than 2 million New Yorkers, 12% of the state population, do not have enough money to meet their basic nutritional needs. Currently, there are 127,345 food assistance recipients in Suffolk and another 67,200 in Nassau plus a significant number of families who are eligible but do not receive assistance.

The Farm at St. Joseph is an affirmative business of Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) a not for profit agency that supports individuals with intellectual disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. The Farm at St. Joseph provides an employment opportunity that includes land cultivation, harvesting produce and delivering the produce to the farm’s shareholders.

About CCE of Suffolk

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County is a non-profit educational agency dedicated to strengthening families and communities, enhancing and protecting the environment, promoting sustainable agriculture, and fostering countywide economic development. Affiliated with Cornell University, and funded in part by Suffolk County government, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County is part of the state and national extension system that includes the land-grant universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. CCE’s sites and program areas include Agriculture, Marine, 4-H Youth Development, Family Health and Wellness, Suffolk County Farm and Education Center and Suffolk County Peconic Dunes Camp.

About CCE of Nassau

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County (CCE-NC) enables people to improve their lives and communities through partnerships that put experience and research knowledge to work. Extension staff and trained volunteers deliver high quality education programs, conduct applied research, and encourage community collaborations. Our educators connect people with the information they need relating to horticulture; food and nutrition; youth development; economic and community development; and sustainable natural resources. Our ability to match Cornell University resources with local community needs helps us play a vital role in the lives of individuals, families, businesses, and communities throughout Nassau County. CCE-NC receives support from USDA, Cornell University, Nassau County government along with other public and private financial support. Our key program areas are 4H Youth Development/DPF 4H Camp, Food and Nutrition and Horticultural Education at our East Meadow Farm.