USDA Releases Proposal to Update WIC Foods

07/08/06 The National WIC Association, NWA, applauds Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and USDA's Food & Nutrition Service for the release of their proposal today to update the food packages for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC.

Since the WIC Program's inception in 1974 changes to the WIC food packages have been minimal. This proposal represents the most significant and meaningful changes ever proposed and ensures that the food packages will be consistent with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the current infant feeding practice guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The USDA is expected to publish the proposal on-line on Monday August 7th.

"Despite the 32 year wait, we could not be more excited with USDA's release today of its proposal to update the WIC Food Packages to include for the first time fruits and vegetables! NWA has pushed for these changes for nearly a decade to help WIC play its part in fighting the nation's obesity epidemic," offered Peggy Lewis, NWA President.

"The inclusion of fruits and vegetables and a wider variety of foods to increase cultural acceptability and intakes of nutrients and the inclusion of whole-grain products are the critical tools WIC needs in the Food Packages to reinforce the nutrition education messages we give mothers and children in WIC clinics!" she continued. "This proposal brings the WIC Food Packages in line with current dietary science."

"It has been six years since NWA proposed to Congress and the USDA many of these same changes to the WIC Food Packages. Three years later we called on Congress and USDA to recognize the need for culturally sensitive foods," said Ms. Lewis. "In April 2005, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) mirroring many of NWA's recommendations issued a report entitled: 'WIC Food Packages: Time for Change.'"

"The time for a change is NOW," Ms. Lewis added, "and we urge speedy implementation of the proposal."

To qualify to receive WIC food packages valued at roughly $38 per month and the accompanying nutrition education, mothers and children up to age five must meet income guidelines set at 185% of poverty and demonstrate a nutritional risk.

"Each qualified mother and child is prescribed a specific food package based upon their dietary needs and given food vouchers for the foods in that package," stated NWA Executive Director, the Rev. Douglas Greenaway. "These vouchers are then redeemed at certified grocery retailers in the community."

"We have waited 32 years for the WIC food packages to include fruits and vegetables and to respond to the diverse cultural populations WIC serves and we look forward to partnering with USDA and the retail grocers to ensure that these recommendations are implemented in a responsible and meaningful way," Greenaway added.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC has an over 30 year scientifically documented track record of improving the nutritional health and well-being of low-income, nutritionally at-risk women, infants and children.

"WIC serves roughly one out of every two infants born in this country," Ms. Lewis stated, "and is responsible for improving birth outcomes, reducing levels of anemia, increasing immunization rates and improving access to regular health care and improving the diets of WIC participants."

NWA represents the 50 geographic state agencies, 37 Indian and Native American territory, trust and commonwealth state agencies and 2,200 local agencies who together provide WIC services to 8 million women, infants and children monthly through 10,000 WIC clinics nationwide.

NWA is dedicated to providing leadership to the WIC Community in promoting quality nutrition services; advocating for services for all eligible women, infants and children; and assuring the sound and responsive management of the WIC Program.