Frontier Extension to keep SNAP‑Ed services after funding cut; county educators to assume roles

Rebecca, a Frontier Extension Office representative, told the Franklin County Commission on Oct. 1 that a recent cut to SNAP‑Ed funding ended the district's formal grant-funded program but that the Frontier District board decided to continue education services locally.

"Because of the funding cut, yesterday was the last day of our SNAP Ed program," Rebecca said. She introduced Gabby Kinder, the district's new communications and marketing manager, and said the district will assume the educator positions to maintain services. "As of October 16, Chris Wallace and Anita Soba will be frontier district nutrition educators," Rebecca said.

The Extension update said the district will assume those positions without increasing net revenue for next year and will cover the remainder of this calendar year (about two and a half months) under local administration. Rebecca described the local educators' roles in coordinating summer lunch programs, commodity distributions at Hope House, nutrition education at senior sites and partnerships with the recreation center.

Commissioners did not take formal action on the item during the Oct. 1 meeting; a commissioner present responded, "Good to hear that you worked through that and were able to come up with a solution. So that's exciting." The announcement followed statements that the program has been a long-standing part of the district's public-health work.

The staff presentation said operating locally will also allow the educators to provide nutrition education beyond the specific audiences and guidelines tied to SNAP‑Ed grants. The Extension representative said the district believes continuing the program is vital to maintaining summer feeding and other local food-access efforts.

The First District update also introduced Gabby Kinder as the communications and marketing manager for the Frontier District.