Overview
Population
- 2006 Census Bureau estimated 635,285 residents in Monmouth County
- Characterized predominantly by small towns
- The majority of SNAP participants reside in Asbury Park & Neptune
- According to 2004 statistics there are 5.9% (37,482) persons below the poverty level
- There is an estimated 12.6% (80,046) of senior citizens residing in Monmouth County
Demographics
- 50,823 residents of Monmouth County (8.%) are African American
- 51,458 residents of Monmouth County (8.1%) are Hispanic
USDA SNAP Participating Families
- 7,458 households participate in the SNAP Program
- There is a total of 15,091 SNAP Participants in Monmouth County most of whom reside in nine communities: Asbury Park, Long Branch, Neptune Township, Neptune City, Keansburg, Union Beach, Freehold, Eatontown, Howell, Red Bank.
- Statistics from the Monmouth County Division of Social Services SNAP Division show that just about half of the total recipients are children.
Monmouth County SNAP-ED Project
This portion of the New Jersey State Nutrition Education Program will target education toward the needs of SNAP-eligible residents in these nine communities.
In Monmouth County there are approximately 7,395 children who depend on free or reduced price lunch. In those communities with a high number of SNAP program participants, we need to provide the proper nutrition education so these children can continue to eat nutritiously once they leave school. In educating these children, their health and education can be improved and hopefully the good habits they learn will be carried with them into the future.
In addition to the SNAP-ED adult target audience population, a second population of concern is the senior population. In most communities, reliance on senior feeding programs is crucial ensuring that they receive at least one or more nutritious meal(s) a day. Nutrition education at most senior feeding sites is scant or non-existent. Many senior residents age 65 and over live in poverty and have greater susceptibility to nutritional deficiencies. Nutrition education can improve the health of this target population therefore; the Monmouth County SNAP Nutrition Education Project will continue to target this audience.
Non Duplication
- Monmouth County does not have an EFNEP project.
Project Objectives
- To promote the SNAP-ED Project and its statewide mission and expand the program to new municipal and county-wide agencies in Monmouth County.
- To increase food security through nutrition education programs to SNAP eligible adults and senior citizens via lessons approved by the State Nutrition Specialist and according to the statewide mission.
- To provide food safety and nutrition education to food service workers and volunteers at emergency or supplemental food outlets, soup kitchens and pantries.
- To provide behaviorally focused nutrition education to youth and young adults in schools that will motivate participants to adopt healthful eating lifestyle and practices that are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPyramid.
Project Activities
- Develop and implement methods to promote the use of and exposure to SNAP-ED by SNAP residents of Monmouth County and successfully recruit them into classes and activities.
- Provide necessary training for paraprofessional & staff.
- Deliver behaviorally learner-driven, nutrition education through research-based curriculum for youth that has been approved by the nutrition specialist(s).
- Conduct outreach activities to recruit participant.
Evaluation
Networking and outreach efforts will be documented through the agendas and the attendance records of county network meetings. ERS data on adult and senior programming will be included in the year-end evaluation report along with site and class information. Evaluation reports for food service workers participating in the soup kitchen food safety and nutrition education training initiative.
Collaborative Relationships
Richard Obal, CEDH - Monmouth County RCE-PI
Rachel Tansey, Program Associate, Monmouth County RCE
Bangs Avenue Elementary School
Bradley Elementary School
Catholic Charities - "Project F.R.E.E."
Keansburg School District
Midtown Elementary School
Red Bank Primary School
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School
VNA of Monmouth County
AP Middle School
Asbury Park Senior Center
CHANT- "Conquer Hunger And Need Together, Inc."
Food Bank of Monmouth/Ocean Counties
Howell Senior Center
Interfaith Neighbors
Keyport Senior Center
Manna House
NJ Youth Corp
AP Learning Center
Neptune Senior Center:
Project Paul
Spring House
TEC "Transitional Education Center"
Women's Center
Work First/One Stop Career Center
YDC of Monmouth County
Contact
Rachel Tansey, MA FCHS Program Associate
Monmouth County SNAP-ED
RCE of Monmouth County
4000 Kozloski Road, P.O. Box 5033
Freehold, NJ 07728
Phone: (732) 431-7271
Fax: (732) 409-4813
Email: tansey@njaes.rutgers.edu