Overview

Population

• 2006 (estimate) Census Bureau 531,088
• Per Capita Income (2006) $31,364
• 7.7% of the population is below the poverty level (2006)

Demographics

• 71.3% White (2006)
• Minority population is primarily Hispanic and African-American

USDA SNAP Participating Families

• 8,880 households in Union County are SNAP Program Participants
• According to the Union County SNAP Office, 21,987 people (11,163 adults and 10,284 children) received SNAP benefits in September 2007.
• The largest percentage of Union County SNAP participants live in Elizabeth.

Union County SNAP-Ed Project

The SNAP-Ed Project addresses the following needs for limited resource individuals in Union County.

• Inability to have SNAP benefits and food budget last through the month
• Limited food preparation and food storage facilities
• High reliance on convenience foods and fast food restaurants
• Limited nutrition and food safety knowledge
• High consumption of high fat foods and low consumption of fruits, vegetables and dairy products

• There is no EFNEP programming in Union County

• To promote the SNAP-Ed Project and its statewide mission. To increase food security through nutrition education programs to the SNAP eligible population, resulting in improved dietary habits, food purchase and food preparation practices and improved eating behaviors.
• To collaborate with municipal and county-wide agencies working with limited resource audiences including: Union County Division on Aging, Community Access Unlimited, Community Coordinated Child Care, PROCEED, and the public schools in the city of Elizabeth, Hillside, and Plainfield.
• To provide nutrition education to SNAP eligible adult and youth audiences throughout Union County.
• To provide community rotations with Dietetic Interns and Dietetic Technicians who are working toward professional nutrition credentials by teaching nutrition education classes at senior dining sites or by teaching youth.
• To provide training to staff (teachers, parent liaisons, and food service personnel) who communicate regularly and serve the students and families in the Elizabeth & Plainfield School Districts, so they may help improve the nutritional profile in their community.

• Market program in order to increase county network collaboration opportunities
• Provide nutrition education to participants
• Increase outreach to new participants

• The evaluation methodology, which is used, includes an overall measurement of the impact of nutrition education amongst the population of SNAP participants. The ERS reporting system is used for Pre and Post Diet Recalls and Behavioral Checklists. Only the Behavioral Checklist is used in programs lasting less than 6 weeks. An evaluation report of the project will be submitted for possible publication in a peer reviewed Nutrition and/or Family and Consumer Sciences journal.
  

Collaborative Relationships
RCE of Union County
Montclair State University Dietetic Internship
UMDMJ Dietetic Internship
College of St. Elizabeth Dietetic Internship
Middlesex County College Dietetic Technician Program
Union County Division on Aging
Senior Meal Program of Union County
Elizabeth Schools
City of Elizabeth
Plainfield Schools
City of Plainfield
Hillside Schools
Community Access Unlimited
Community Coordinated Child Care
PROCEED

Contact

Dr. Karen Ensle, RD, FADA, CFCS Family & Community Health Sciences Educator Union County SNAP-Ed Program RCE of Union County 300 North Avenue East Westfield, NJ 07090 Phone: (908) 654-9854 Ext. 2234 Fax: (908) 654-9818 Email: Ensle@njaes.rutgers.edu

Ms. Janet Brun, RD Program Associate Union County SNAP-Ed Program RCE of Union County 300 North Avenue East Westfield, NJ 07090 Phone: (908) 654-9854 Ext.  2291 Fax: (908) 654-9818  Email: brun@njaes.rutgers.edu