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 agencies and implemented by local implementing agencies. States administrators 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 Department of Human Services, Division of Social Services (DSS) is the SNAP-Ed administrator and the University of Nevada, Reno Extension is the lead SNAP-Ed Implementing Agency.

Extension provides SNAP-Ed 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.

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?

Not entirely. While new federal funding for Nevada SNAP-Ed will no longer be available starting October 1, 2025, DSS will use carry-forward funds from Nevada SNAP-Ed Federal Fiscal Year 2025 (FFY25) to fund partial implementation of Nevada SNAP-Ed projects during FFY26. This means that while the program is significantly reduced, it has not fully ended in Nevada, yet.

Why is SNAP-Ed ending?

While SNAP-Ed program is not ending nationally, new SNAP-Ed funding was eliminated from the federal budget in the H.R.1 Reconciliation Bill, effectively discontinuing new funding for the program nationwide. The decision to eliminate new funding for Nevada SNAP-Ed was made at the federal level and does not reflect program quality or outcomes.

What specific services/programs are going away?

DSS will use carry-forward funds from Nevada SNAP-Ed FFY25 to fund the implementation of three (Early Care and Education, Youth, and Rethink Your Drink) of the five planned Nevada SNAP-Ed projects during FFY26. Thus, some of the nutritional educational programs supported by Nevada SNAP-Ed will be reduced or discontinued. These include programs delivered at community sites, community centers, senior centers, residential housing complexes, farmers' markets, and food pantries.

Will Extension still offer nutrition or health-related education?

While new federal funding for Nevada SNAP-Ed will no longer be available starting October 1, 2025, DSS will use Nevada SNAP-Ed carry-forward funds from FFY25 to fund three of its five planned Nevada SNAP-Ed projects during FFY26. Furthermore, 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 the same amount of 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 the SNAP-Ed funded programs that are ending September 30, 2025? No. The termination of new federal funding means there is no longer an infrastructure to support those aspects of 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 new 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).