Lynn Beattie works as a training manager for UMass Extension’s Nutrition Education Program (NEP). Her job is multi-faceted: she both develops and implements program materials, evaluations and training for NEP’s two programs, SNAP-Ed and EFNEP. SNAP-Ed is short for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP was once-upon-a-time called the Food Stamp Program and SNAP-Ed is its educational component). EFNEP is short for Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, like SNAP-Ed a federally-funded education program. EFNEP serves low-income families and youth under age 18 from those families.
She says, “Community nutrition has been a passion since I graduated from UMass Amherst in 2005 with a BS in nutrition. I began working for the Women, Infants & Children Nutrition Program (WIC) and enjoyed working with the mothers, babies, and young children. It felt fitting to move into my role here at NEP and expand the population I can serve.”
Beattie provides training for staff and creates curriculum materials for educators to use in the field. Her program evaluation data shows that through NEP’s hands-on learning, participants make healthier food choices, handle food more safely, and are physically more active – all of which lead to better health. When asked what she is especially proud of in her work, she replied that it is her recent updates to the adult curriculum “Choices….Steps Toward Health.” Beattie has given a fresh look to new dietary guidelines and added full color images to promote healthy behavior change and increase readability for low literacy audiences. The ‘new look’ is now used in programming and has been well-received by both staff and our participants.
One always wonders what nutritionists eat, given that they think about healthy food all day. Beattie’s go-to is smoothies for her kids. She adds fruits and veggies, such as spinach, to keep them healthy. When not hard at work, Lynn likes spending time with her husband and daughters, Daphne and Lilah. She keeps fit by running and practicing yoga.