SNAP4CT Supporting Materials - SNAP-Ed Toolkit Submission
Summary of SNAP4CT.org
The SNAP4CT.org Online Learning Platform is a mobile-friendly educational resource comprised of a website and associated social media channels designed to provide the SNAP-Ed eligible population of CT with information on buying and preparing healthy, budget-friendly foods. This online platform also serves as a point of collaboration and information dissemination for all CT SNAP-Ed contractors, as well as community partners who serve the SNAP population. The website houses over 360 pages of content that can be viewed anywhere there is an internet connection. The 207 budget-friendly recipe pages include links to printable PDFs in English and Spanish. These print-ready recipes include the SNAP4CT.org web address, making them a marketing tool as well as an educational resource. The site includes two calendars: a free health events calendar where visitors can locate and attend physical activities, and an embedded SNAP-Ed events Google Calendar where CT SNAP-Ed contractors can enter SNAP educational events so that the USDA/FNS (funder) and the general public are aware of what programs are occurring around the state. The site also includes an interactive CT farmers market map (in desktop and mobile versions) that denotes which markets accept SNAP; 30 educational topics based on MyPlate; 75 blogs; an “Ask a Nutritionist” contact form; and a resource section for SNAP-Eligible visitors.
The SNAP4CT.org Online Learning Platform is a mobile-friendly educational resource comprised of a website and associated social media channels designed to provide the SNAP-Ed eligible population of CT with information on buying and preparing healthy, budget-friendly foods. This online platform also serves as a point of collaboration and information dissemination for all CT SNAP-Ed contractors, as well as community partners who serve the SNAP population. The website houses over 360 pages of content that can be viewed anywhere there is an internet connection. The 207 budget-friendly recipe pages include links to printable PDFs in English and Spanish. These print-ready recipes include the SNAP4CT.org web address, making them a marketing tool as well as an educational resource. The site includes two calendars: a free health events calendar where visitors can locate and attend physical activities, and an embedded SNAP-Ed events Google Calendar where CT SNAP-Ed contractors can enter SNAP educational events so that the USDA/FNS (funder) and the general public are aware of what programs are occurring around the state. The site also includes an interactive CT farmers market map (in desktop and mobile versions) that denotes which markets accept SNAP; 30 educational topics based on MyPlate; 75 blogs; an “Ask a Nutritionist” contact form; and a resource section for SNAP-Eligible visitors.
Survey / Evaluation Tools
Surveys
Intercept surveys of the SNAP-eligible population were conducted in FY 2018 and FY 2019. The surveys asked about internet and device use, preferred modes of contact, and nutrition-related interests. Survey administration occurred in five low-income towns at 12 partner organizations where convenience samples of adults were invited to participate. The findings of the surveys helped us shape our content plan.
Web Analytics
To track our website traffic we use a free Google Analytics account and run reports weekly and monthly. Here are the summary reports for Connecticut visitors: We also closely monitor our social media accounts using Hootsuite reports and the analytics tools built in to each platform. Below is a summary of the increases from FY 2018 to 2019:
Intercept surveys of the SNAP-eligible population were conducted in FY 2018 and FY 2019. The surveys asked about internet and device use, preferred modes of contact, and nutrition-related interests. Survey administration occurred in five low-income towns at 12 partner organizations where convenience samples of adults were invited to participate. The findings of the surveys helped us shape our content plan.
- SNAP4T.org Survey (PDF)
- SNAP4CT Formative Eval Report FY 2018 (PDF)
- SNAP4CT Formative Eval Report FY 2019 (PDF)
Web Analytics
To track our website traffic we use a free Google Analytics account and run reports weekly and monthly. Here are the summary reports for Connecticut visitors: We also closely monitor our social media accounts using Hootsuite reports and the analytics tools built in to each platform. Below is a summary of the increases from FY 2018 to 2019:
Website Management Tools
We use a variety of applications to manage the website and social media accounts. These include:
- Weebly.com website hosting platform. It is a drag-and-drop format that can be managed by individuals without web design skills. We utilize the Events Calendar app to manage our Free Health Events in CT Calendar.
- Weebly.com Promote Grow eNewsletter - this is where we manage our subscribers list and monthly email newsletter.
- GoDaddy.com - where we register our domains SNAP4CT.org and SNAP4CT.com.
- Google Calendar - the free tool we use for our SNAP-Ed Events Calendar. Find more at Get Started with Google Calendar.
Marketing / Design Tools
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Marketing Materials
In order to promote the SNAP4CT.org website, a student working with the program helped us create postcards, stickers, magnets and business cards. Below are the PDF files of the postcards:
In order to promote the SNAP4CT.org website, a student working with the program helped us create postcards, stickers, magnets and business cards. Below are the PDF files of the postcards:
- Postcard Front (English)
- Postcard Back (English)
- Postcard Front (Spanish)
- Postcard Back (Spanish)
- Adobe.com - we have a Creative Cloud membership and use the Spark tool to produce our social media graphics.
- Canva.com - a free design tool we use for some of our graphics.
- Piktochart.com - an infographic tool used for our reports and some of our web images.
Poster Presentation- May 2019
We presented the SNAP4CT.org platform as a poster at the UConn Center for mHealth and Social Media 3rd Annual Conference: Social Media and Health on Thursday May 16, 2019. [Poster file opens as a PDF which will need to be minimized for viewing.]
