SNAP-Ed Connection Recipe Finder Database

Katrina Seidman, MS
Dietetic Intern
University of Maryland, College Park

Created for State and local Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) nutrition educators and other Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) staff, the SNAP-Ed Connection Recipe Finder Database is chock full of over 400 quick, easy, healthy, and affordable recipes for nutrition educators to use for low-income families. Easy to use, well-organized, and frequently updated, this resource invites visitors to rate and comment on recipes and even to submit their own.

Nutrition educators can search the database in a variety of ways, including by cost, ingredient, audience, or by a combination of search terms. For example, a simple search of the ingredient “carrot” and the menu item “snacks/sandwiches” yields 54 recipes. Users can also browse the collection alphabetically by ingredient, recipe name, rating, or author. Each recipe comes equipped with cost per serving, cost per recipe, nutrition facts, and equipment needed, in addition to links for rating the recipe, adding the ingredients to a shopping list, a Spanish version of the entire recipe, three different printing options, and more. Recipe ratings and comments are reviewed and by SNAP-Ed Connection staff, and then posted for all to see. Although not kitchen-tested, all recipes support the US Dietary Guidelines for Americans, have been analyzed for nutrient content using ESHA Food Processor, and are annually-updated for cost using national US household data from the Economic Research Service (ERS).

In addition to helping SNAP-Ed providers find useful recipes, this site can be used as an educational tool to teach fundamental food resource skills. Those who use the recipes will learn how to creatively morph leftovers, identify inexpensive lean protein options, master quick cooking techniques using few ingredients, and prepare convenient one-pot meals.

Valuable links containing food demonstrations tips, ideas for cooking with children, and food safety education are also located on the Recipe Finder home page. Health professionals can quickly locate current curricula and fresh ideas on hosting food demonstrations for different audiences, many of which include materials readily available online. Links to free interactive Web materials for children and adults are also featured, including audience-specific activities, videos, tip sheets, and games for young children, older adults, and pregnant women.

**Note: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program. It was changed from to emphasize nutrition, food accessibility, and the new increase in benefits for those with low income.