Improving Language and Cultural Barriers in SNAP-Ed Programs  

In Camden, the city faces several challenges, with rates of poverty, chronic disease, and food insecurity significantly higher than state and national averages. Although food assistance programs can help, barriers to food security persist, particularly for historically marginalized groups who also experience considerable health disparities.

Stakeholders across Camden have focused efforts on improving access to healthy food, providing resources to make healthy food more affordable and offering programs that teach residents strategies to identify healthy, budget-friendly food choices. However, a lack of Spanish-language materials and culturally relevant resources has been a consistent obstacle in reaching more of the underserved Hispanic population.

To address these challenges, the Department of Family & Community Health Sciences is partnering with the Community Care Food & Clothing Pantry to provide culturally relevant materials, resources, and recipes that are in the preferred language of participants. Efforts will focus on translating educational materials, procuring culturally appropriate teaching resources, assembling a collection of culturally relevant  recipes using ingredients frequently found at food pantries, implementing a health and wellness social marketing campaign, and providing more culturally specific food distributions. This project will support the effective expansion of nutrition, health, and food access services to the Hispanic community in Camden.