Kimberly Hoffman
Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Extension Agents play an important role in reaching limited resource audiences by recruiting, training, and managing volunteers within a region to teach nutrition and community health programs in a variety of venues, such as schools, local agencies, farmers markets, and grocery stores.
FCS SNAP-Ed Agents are funded by the state and USDA through the Virginia Department of Social Services (who administers SNAP, formerly food stamps). We help to meet the funders' goal of reaching large numbers of SNAP-eligible individuals through train-the-trainer programs. We create partnerships with community agencies and serve on health coalitions to improve food access and security.
Our newest program is a healthy retail initiative called Shop Smart Eat Smart. The goal of this program is to encourage purchases of healthy foods among SNAP recipients, therefore increasing the demand of healthy foods. We collaborate with food stores in low-income areas or stores with high SNAP redemption to market their already stocked healthy items and provide nutrition education in the form of signage and food demonstrations.
Serving the localities of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Caroline, and Prince William.
Education
M.S. Agricultural and Life Sciences- Applied Nutrition and Physical Activity, Virginia Tech, Candidate May 2021.
B.S. Nutrition & Wellness, Bridgewater College, 2016.
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