United States Congress passed a budget reconciliation bill that has eliminated federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed).
We understand you may have questions about the future of the University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s health and nutrition programming, as well as the organization more broadly. Below is a list of answers to some of the questions you might have as we close out the program.
Thank you for all you’ve done and all you continue to do to make Nevada healthier and stronger.
- Has the SNAP-Ed program officially ended in Nevada?
Yes. As of now, funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed) is officially ending nationally, effective October 1, 2025.
- Why is SNAP-Ed ending?
SNAP-Ed funding was eliminated from the federal budget in the H.R.1 Reconciliation Bill, effectively discontinuing the program nationwide. The decision to remove SNAP-Ed from Nevada was made at the federal level and does not reflect program quality or outcomes.
- What specific services/programs are going away?
Many of the nutritional educational programs delivered at community sites, such as preschools and daycares, schools, community centers, senior centers, residential housing complexes, farmers markets and food pantries, have been supported by SNAP-Ed funding. You may know some of the impacted programs by the following names:
-
- Bingocize®
- Color Me Healthy
- Cooking Matters
- Create Better Health
- Go Wild with Fruits & Veggies!
- Eating Smart Being Active
- I Am A Seed
- Pick A Better Snack
- And more
In addition, SNAP-Ed funded nutrition education materials previously provided to healthcare clinics, grocery stores and WIC facilities through Rethink Your Drink will be discontinued.
- Will Extension still offer nutrition or health-related education?
Yes. Extension continues to prioritize the health and well-being of Nevada, and we will continue to seek alternative funding sources to mitigate the impact of this loss of federal funding where opportunities remain or become available. However, without federal SNAP-Ed funding, this work will look different. We are working now to restructure what that work looks like in Nevada.
- Can external organizations help the University and Extension fill the gap?
For SNAP-Ed funded programs, specifically? No. Termination of federal funding means there is no longer infrastructure to support the program. For other nutrition and health programs? Yes. We welcome opportunities to co-develop new programs, apply for joint funding, or provide services through partnerships. Please reach out to Macy Helm (mhelm@unr.edu) to start the conversation.
- Is Extension leaving my county?
There may be some coverage gaps in the short term, but Extension continues to deliver on the University’s land-grant mission by serving all 17 counties in Nevada. While SNAP-Ed funding and programming is ending, our broader educational and outreach mission continues, including nutrition and health education.
- Who can I talk to about concerns or next steps?
Partner organizations, community members or media can reach out to Macy Helm (mhelm@unr.edu).
About SNAP-Ed
SNAP-Ed is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It is administered by SNAP state and local implementing agencies. States conduct needs assessments to ensure that SNAP-Ed is delivered in a hands-on and tailored way for their communities. As a result, SNAP-Ed looks different in every state.
In Nevada, the University of Nevada, Reno Extension is the lead SNAP-Ed Implementing Agency. Extension provides direct education, indirect education, policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) initiatives, and social marketing in all 17 counties across the state.
Extension provides research-based nutrition education to Nevada’s SNAP recipients and those who are eligible. Using the socio-ecological model to prompt behavior change, Extension faculty and staff provide education to children, youth and adults throughout the state of Nevada.
Whether reaching out to participants through community settings or working with communities to promote healthy policies, systems, and environments, the program's goal is to help participants make behavior changes to achieve lifelong health and wellbeing.
