What’s next for SNAP-Ed?
A food shopper pushes a cart of groceries. AP Photo/Allison Dinner
For decades, government food assistance, now known as SNAP benefits, has helped millions of low-income people across the country pay for the food they need to survive. SNAP Education (SNAP-Ed) helped families put together a nutritious diet, and to stay healthy in general. The Republican tax law passed earlier this summer not only cut funding for SNAP, it got rid of funding for SNAP-Ed. In August 2025, University of Illinois Extension, which administers the state program, announced it would wind down the program. More than 200 people lost their jobs.
Guests:
Jennifer McCaffrey
Assistant Dean of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Illinois Extension
Caitlin Kownacki
Senior Program Lead, Family and Consumer Sciences Evaluation, University of Illinois Extension
Rebecca Crumrine
SNAP-Ed Educator based in Peoria, University of Illinois Extension
Dr. Amy Christison
Eliza J. and Pedro A. de Alarcon Professorship in Pediatrics at University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria
