Foreword: Speaking with One Voice

According to a Kenyan proverb, “Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable.”The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP‐Ed) Evaluation Framework: Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Prevention Indicators (Framework) was developed to give SNAP-Ed that powerful ability to collectively share its successes. When all SNAP-Edprograms use the same set of indicators, they can speak in one voice to describe the many positive outcomes of work done across the United States to enable low-income Americans to increase healthy eating and physical activity. The Framework is SNAP-Ed’s opportunity to produce cumulative results using standardized, evidence-informed methods to share with our clients, partner organizations, stakeholders, and policymakers. The collective voice in this Interpretive Guide mirrors the sort of collective impact we hope to see in obesity prevention for low-income populations.

The Framework represents nearly three years of discussion, review, and careful deliberation about the topics, measures, and instruments involved in conducting SNAP-Ed direct education; social marketing; and policy, systems, environmental change interventions. Aligning with the Social Ecological Model featured in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015, these 51 indicators represent the deliberations, negotiations, and collaboration of representatives from SNAP State Agencies, land-grant universities (Cooperative Extension), public health departments and other Implementing Agencies, such as food banks and non-profit organizations that plan, deliver, and evaluate SNAP-Ed programs. The original Framework—guided by the vision of theUSDA Western Region’s Andrew Naja-Riese— resulted from the expert contributions and diverse perspectives of elevenRegistered Dietitians, two exercise scientists,eight public health specialists, and three academic peer reviewers to arrive at a set of markers of achievement sufficiently diverse to cover the broad range of topics addressed by SNAP-Ed strategies and interventions. Extensive review of both the indicators themselves and this Interpretive Guidewas provided by a wide network of experts in the field. Under the auspices of the National Collaborative for Childhood Obesity Research, and in tremendous partnership with the Association of SNAPNutrition Education Administrators (ASNNA), specifically the Evaluation Committee led by Susan Foerster and Marci Scott, more than 27 states have contributed to the development of the Interpretive Guide, representing an unprecedented national effort in SNAP-Ed evaluation.

We have developed this Framework by collaborating. Together, we can now highlight on the national stage the many positive outcomes our work produces to improve the lives of the low-income populations we serve.

Sharon Sugerman, MS, RD
Director of Research and Evaluation
Public Health Institute
Center for Wellness and Nutrition / Barbara MkNelly, MS
Evaluation Analyst
University of California
CalFresh Nutrition Education / Theresa LeGros, MA
SNAP-Ed Program Evaluator
University of Arizona
Department of Nutritional Science.