(P38-14-26) Assessing Virginia SNAP-Ed Accomplishments Using Ripple Effect Mapping: Perspectives of SNAP-Ed Implementers During Program Defunding Through the Big Beautiful Bill

Objectives: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) has achieved positive food and nutrition outcomes for low-income individuals and families for 30 years. SNAP-Ed was defunded in July 2025 through the Big Beautiful Bill and is set to sunset in September 2026. The defunding of this evidence-based nutrition education and obesity prevention program has widespread implications on public health nutrition, nutrition security, and community-level supports and infrastructure and risks eroding institutional knowledge and progress gained. The objective of this study was to assess and document the accomplishments and impacts of Virginia SNAP-Ed programming.

Methods: In November 2025, nine Virginia SNAP-Ed implementers participated in a Ripple Effects Workshop (REM). REM is a facilitated, participatory, and rapid evaluation method that uses appreciative inquiry and mind mapping to identify program impacts. Two independent coders conducted a qualitative content analysis, using an inductive and deductive approach guided by the different levels (e.g., individual, settings, sectors, social norms) of the Social-Ecological Model (SEM). Areas of disagreement were resolved by an additional researcher.

Results: Impacts included improved physical activity, nutrition, food security and food environment measures and enhanced sustainability by curricula developed and coalitions built with partners. Implementers noted their roles as facilitators and connectors. They described processes to support healthy environments and the development of evidence-based nutrition resources. Impacts clustered at settings and sectors levels of the SEM. Without SNAP-Ed capacities, implementers anticipated future challenges, including achieving equitable food and nutrition outcomes.

Conclusions: The REM workshop facilitated the identification and documentation of accomplishments and impacts of SNAP-Ed’s work that provide insight into implementer roles and program outcomes. Findings can be used to guide future related food and nutrition efforts.

Funding Sources: This work was funded by Viginia SNAP-Ed.