JSY receives statewide federal funding through USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Nutrition Education (SNAP-Ed) project, funds from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and Hunger Prevention Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP); to deliver nutrition education for persons eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Using nutrition education workshops and food demonstrations, JSY works to ensure low-income families in New York eat nutritious foods, make the most of their food budgets, prepare foods in a safe manner, increase physical activity and drink healthier beverages. Each workshop provides practical nutrition information using USDA approved lesson plans, cooking demonstrations and recipes using fruits and vegetables.

Our Programs

There are three JSY initiatives currently working to improve the health and nutritional status of low-income families in NYS. They are:

Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables, which is a collaboration between the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) and Emergency Food Relief Organizations. Led by eight regional Food Banks, a statewide network of nutritionists deliver comprehensive nutrition education activities across NYS, focusing their efforts primarily in food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens.

The Stellar Farmers’ Markets Program is a collaboration between the NYS DOH and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYSDOHMH). This initiative promotes the benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets in targeted low income communities in NYC. For more information visit Stellar Farmers Markets.

The Urban Farmers’ Markets Program is a collaboration between NYS DOH and three upstate NY food banks located at the Rochester Public Market and Downtown Syracuse Farmers’ Markets. This initiative replicates NYC’s Stellar Farmers’ Markets in urban farmers’ markets with high EBT usage in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse N.Y.