Gloucester County

Overview

Demographics

Population of 282,031 (2006 Census Bureau [estimate])

• 86.2% White persons (2005)
• 10.1% Black persons (2005)
• 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native persons (2005)
• 2.3% Asian persons (2005)
• 3.4% Hispanic or Latino origin (2006)
• 1.2% Persons reporting two or more races (2005)
• Per Capita Income (1999) $22,708
• 6.2% of the population is below the poverty level (2004)

USDA SNAP Participating Families

• 4947 households in Gloucester County are Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participants (2006)  

Gloucester County SNAP-EDP Project

The SNAP-ED Program addresses the following needs for limited resource individuals in Gloucester County:

• Inability to have SNAP benefits and food budget last throughout 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

Non Duplication

• There is no EFNEP programming in Gloucester County

Project Objectives

• 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 improve and increase collaboration among existing agencies that currently work with low-income audiences, other governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations and private enterprises to improve the nutrition education services available to SNAP participants in Gloucester County.
• Provide behaviorally focused, outcome- based nutrition education classes in small group adult settings, and with youth.

Project Activities

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

Evaluation

• 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 Gloucester County
Gloucester County Department of Health and Senior Services
Paulsboro School District
Woodbury School District
Glassboro School District
Durand Academy - Woodbury
Mid-Atlantic States Food Systems - Work Plus Project
Center For Family Service - T.I.P. Program
The ARC of Gloucester County
The Delaware House
Boys and Girls Clubs of Gloucester County
New Jersey After 3 Program
Eleanor Corbett House

Contact

Sylvia Waters
Program Associate
RCE of Gloucester County
Gloucester County SNAP-Ed
1200 N. Delsea Drive
Clayton, NJ  08312
Phone: (856) 307-6467
Fax: (856) 307-6476
Email:  swaters@njaes.rutgers.edu