May 21-23, 2024
Nourishing Connections Forum Objectives:
1. Nourish meaningful connections between SNAP-Ed providers, participants, and partners across the state.
2. Experience increased empathy for SNAP-Ed eligible community members and a greater understanding of their lived experience.
3. Enhance the impact of SNAP-Ed in Washington by exploring innovative approaches, resources, and encourage community driven solutions.
Tuesday May 21, 2024
Keynote: Collaborate to Elevate with Pamela Oakes
Session Objectives:
1. Acknowledge abundance of resources and emphasize the importance of fostering collaborative relationships that recognize shared goals and combat a spirit of competition. (It’s a river, not a pie)
2. Explore frameworks for reflecting on our approaches using an equity lens so that diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of our work.
3. Emphasize the importance of relationship building and networking with those that align with our organizational values.
In today’s rapidly evolving world, collaboration isn’t just a trendy term—it’s a vital strategy for sustainable growth and success. This upbeat and engaging keynote presentation is tailored to inspire and empower organizations by providing them with the knowledge and tools needed to excel through relationship building, collaboration, and partnership. Designed to transform organizational outlooks and behaviors, you’ll challenge the prevailing scarcity mindset by recognizing the abundance of resources already within communities. By aligning with individuals and organizations that share our values, participants will learn how to unlock the potential for collective impact and prioritize equity in decision-making processes. Join us to discover how intentional relationship building and networking can propel your organization toward its goals while contributing to a more collaborative and equitable business landscape
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Breakout: Community Partnerships & Collaborations: Building the Port Angeles Food Bank Market Kitchen
Speakers:
- Danielle Carson, WSU
- Clea Rome, WSU
Session Objectives:
1. Attendees will learn about the importance of network weaving and building community partnerships to address food insecurity.
2. Attendees will learn about using an asset-based community development framework to create transformative food system change.
3. Attendees will describe examples of shared goals, partnerships, funding streams, and local programing that address nutrition needs of low-income people.
4. Attendees will have opportunity to apply their learning to their own community projects.
Breakout: Skill Building: Successfully Connecting with Community Over Social Media
Speakers:
- Lori van Anroy, WSU
- Ona Lee, Clara’s Canning
Session Objectives:
1. Attendees will better understand how to connect with community over social media
2. Attendees will understand the basics of how to work with social media
3. Attendees will learn how to better utilize social media as a skill in their SNAP-Ed ‘toolbox”
Breakout: Statewide School-Based Bicycle Education: Let’s Go and the Youth Development Program
Speakers:
- Chris Zipperer, DOH
- Tina Castillo (she/her/ella) Statewide In-Class Bicycle Education Program Officer Cascade Bicycle Club
- Jacquelyn “Jax” Billups (she/her) Youth Development Program Officer Cascade Bicycle Club
Session Objectives:
1. Enhance participant understanding of Cascade Bicycle Club efforts to increase levels of physical activity for K-12 students through bicycle safety education and active transportation
2. Provide information on opportunities and the application process for the Let’s Go and the Youth Development Programs
3. Allow for discussion of local needs and considerations for implementation of the programs in local communities
Breakout: Serving Up a New Approach to SNAP-Ed Social Marketing Campaign
Speakers:
- Dina Weldon, Rescue Agency
- Shiloh Beckerly, Rescue Agency
Session Objectives:
1. Attendees will be able to define social marketing in the scope of SNAP-Ed
2. Attendees will become familiar with existing SNAP-Ed social marketing material
3. Attendees will understand the social marketing development process
4. Attendees will provide feedback on what they would like to see in a social marketing campaign for Washington SNAP-Ed
Breakout: Strengthening Partnerships: Planning Panel
Speakers:
- Athena Dávila-Miranda, Healthier Generation
- Rey Cooley, WA Farm to School Network
- Erica Lamson, OSPI Team Nutrition Grant
- Shannon DeLaney, OSPI Team Nutrition Grant
- Liz Beechler, OSPI School Nutrition
- Rachel Floyd, OSPI School Nutrition
- Josh Proehl, DSHS Basic Food Outreach
- Emma Richardson, Special Olympics Washington
- Jeffrey McCarthy, DSHS
Session Objectives:
1. Attendees will identify and define three statewide partners in Washington
2. Attendees will explore opportunities to collaborate with partners
3. Attendees will engage in facilitated networking activity
Breakout: Exploring Physical Activity in WA SNAP-Ed Interventions
Speakers:
- Lori van Anroy, WSU
- Chris Zipperer, DOH
Session Objectives:
1. Identify opportunities to promote physical activity within the three interventions: Schools and Childcare, Retail and Food Access, and Community Settings.
2. Increase knowledge of ways to include physical activity approaches into a WA SNAP-Ed work plan
3. Provide and share WA SNAP-Ed Provider feedback on local physical activity intervention needs and resources
Breakout: Fresh Food For All: Making the Most of your Farmers Market Partnerships
Speakers:
- Jess Sappington, WSU
- Stacy Carkonen, WSFMA
Session Objectives:
1. Attendees will learn about benefits available to SNAP participants at Farmer’s Markets.
2. Attendees will learn about opportunities for partnerships at Farmer’s Markets.
3. Attendees will learn about how to actively support farmers market SNAP promotions.
4. Attendees will generate ideas on how they can support SNAP shoppers at Farmer’s Markets.
Breakout: Statewide Collaboration to Support Nutrition in Food Banks
Speakers:
- Noa Kay, DOH
- Jamie Wells, DOH
- Talea Price, WSU
- Trish Twomey, Washington Food Coalition
- Dana Cordy, Washington Food Coalition
- Jeff Mathias, WSDA
- Elise Levesque, WSDA
Session objectives:
1. Statewide Engagement and Awareness Building: Increase participant understanding of statewide initiatives, policies, and efforts related to food banks and food pantries. Discussions led by representatives from relevant state agencies or organizations to educate attendees about the broader context of food insecurity, funding opportunities, and strategies for collaboration at the state level.
2. Community Feedback and Needs: Create a space for SNAP-Ed Grant providers to give feedback about local needs to statewide partners. SNAP-Ed Grant providers share insights and concerns regarding the specific needs and challenges faced by their communities related to food access and nutrition education. The breakout session encourages open dialogue and brainstorming to identify gaps in services, barriers to access, and opportunities for improvement.
3. Collaborative Work Planning and Problem-Solving: Provide a platform for participants to collaborate on developing workplans aimed at addressing local food insecurity issues. Breakout session participants can share their experiences, innovative approaches, and successful strategies for delivering nutrition education and promoting healthy food access in food pantry settings.
Breakout: Fruit and Vegetable Incentives Program: SNAP Match in Farmers Markets and Grocery Stores
Speakers:
- Lauren Lubowicki, DOH
- Amanda Weyrauch, DOH
- Alex Hyman, DOH
- Chloe Hatfield, DOH Intern
Session Objectives:
1. Attendees will gain a better understanding of food access incentive programs
2. Attendees will be able to define FVIP, Market Match, Produce Match, Produce Rewards, and Produce Prescription
3. Attendees will learn how to tie this into their SNAP-Ed work and opportunity to do so
Breakout: Providing Culturally Relevant Foods to Bolster Dignity, Health, & Equity
Speakers:
- Mariah Brown-Pounds, WSU
- Jorge Lara, Alimentando al Pueblo
Session Objectives:
1. Attendees will understand how to engage with community in a trauma informed way
2. Attendees will gain perspective on how to connect with community in a more equitable way
3. Attendees will hear engagement success stories in the Latinx community surrounding food access
Town Hall
Members of the WA SNAP-Ed Leadership Team will answer some of the most burning questions. Prior to the Townhall, attendees will have the opportunity to write down questions as they come up. Moderators will begin the Town Hall by asking some of the most popular questions. This will be followed by time for open Q&A from the audience.
Town Hall members will be:
- Chris Mornick (DSHS), Tara McGinty (DSHS), Morgan Hartline
(DOH IA), Acacia Corylus (WSU IA), Nora Downs (Evaluation), Jen Moss (CTW)
Thursday May 23, 2024
Breakout: Personal Development: Community Engagement with Presence
Speaker: Michael Haycock, Upfront Theater; Whatcom Center For Early Learning
Session Objectives:
1. Attendees will learn how improving communication skills can help them connect with others, earn trust, and build relationships.
2. Attendees will consider how communication skills can be applied to their work with communities and partners in SNAP-Ed.
3. Attendees will learn strategies on being more present while engaging with others.
Breakout: Farm to School Best Practices: What Works?
Speakers:
- Danielle Carson, WSU
- Rachel Muia, ESD101
- Kendra Dean, United General
Session Objectives:
1. Attendees will learn different ways to get a farm to school program started.
2. Attendees will be able to describe the necessary partnerships to get a program started.
3. Attendees will feel more confident about laying the groundwork to start a farm to school program.
Breakout: SNAP-Ed in Retail Settings: Small and Large Grocers
Speakers:
- Noelle Beecroft, WSU
- Kristen Rezabek, San Juan Co Health and Community Services
- Allie Moore, WSU
Session Objectives:
1. Attendees will be able to hear success stories and works in progress of SNAP Ed providers in small and large retail settings
2. Attendees will have an understanding of how to partner with large and small grocers for PSE and indirect education.
Breakout: Trauma-Informed Approach and Harm Reduction Principles in Action
Speaker: Margaret Chaykin, DOH
Session Objectives:
1. Attendees will be able to define trauma and have a greater understanding of the experiences that lead to trauma.
2. Attendees will explore how trauma affects the body and brain.
3. Attendees will learn best practices for providing services through a trauma informed lens.
Breakout: Food Sovereignty: Why It Matters and How SNAP-Ed Can Support
Speakers:
- Jennifer Martin, Lummi Tribe
- Valerie Seagrest, Tahoma Peak Solutions
Session Objectives:
1. Attendees with be able to define food sovereignty
2. Attendees will give examples of food sovereignty programs in action
3. Attendees will explore and discuss ways to support food sovereignty in their SNAP-Ed programs
Special thank you to our 2024 Forum Planning Committee:
Jill Farrant, Acacia Corylus, Claudia Abramson, Karla Anderson, Noelle Beecroft, Amber Noskoff, Lori van Anrooy, Linda Mathews, Talea Price, Cambron Walker, Christine Ciancetta, Kimberlyn Jones, Vivian Huynh, Nora Downs, Chris Mornick ,Tara McGinty, Jen Moss, Eileen Grigsby, Mattie Sobotka, Anna Kitchin
If you are interested in helping plan the next WA SNAP-Ed Forum, please reach out to the CTW Team (snap-ed.ctw@wsu.edu)! Thanks!
