The New WIC Food Package
By last October, state agencies were required to begin implementation of the revised Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food package. Over the past three decades, many groups and individuals have called for changes in the supplemental foods provided by the WIC program. However, last year’s changes comprised the first comprehensive overhaul of the food package since the program was permanently established in 1974. (The only other notable change occurred in 1992, when the supplemental foods provided for breastfeeding women were expanded somewhat.)
The proposed changes, which were originally published as an interim rule in the Federal Register on Dec. 6, 2007, were intended to better align the food package with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the infant feeding practice guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The food package better promotes and supports the establishment and long-term success of breastfeeding; provides WIC recipients with a wider variety of healthier foods, including fruits and vegetables and whole grains; and allows state agencies more flexibility in defining food package items in order to accommodate the cultural food preferences of WIC participants.
Although states were required to implement changes in the food package by last October, the interim rule comment period just ended on Feb. 1, 2010. USDA will issue the final rule after analysis of public comments, so some implementation details could change.
Fruits and Vegetables for WIC Clients
One of the biggest changes to the food package is the addition of foods previously not available through the program. For the first time ever, clients are issued cash value vouchers (CVVs) to buy fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables.
| What's new?: WIC fruit and vegetable vouchers |
| For the first time ever, WIC participants can purchase fruits and vegetables with their benefits. |
| All fruits and vegetables are allowed, except white potatoes. |
| Fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are allowed. |
| Organic fruits and vegetables are allowed if they meet state criteria. |
| Stores and farmers’ markets cannot give participants cash back for the unspent portion of a fruit and vegetable voucher. |
| State agencies can allow participants to pay the difference when the purchase of fruits and vegetables exceeds the value of the voucher. |
| State agencies have the option to authorize farmers at farmers’ markets and roadside stands to accept WIC vouchers for fruits and vegetables. |
In addition to implementation of the new vouchers for the purchase of fruits and vegetables, on Dec. 31, 2009, USDA fast-tracked the release of regulations that increased the fruit/vegetable voucher amount for women from $8 to $10 per month. States have until April 30, 2010 to implement the new voucher amount. Previously only exclusively breastfeeding women received the $10 allotment, which has now been extended to women who are pregnant, post-partum or partially breastfeeding. The allotment for children remains $6 per month.
Changes in the WIC food package and the increased allotment per month for fruits and vegetables are helping shape a healthier food assistance program for women, infants and children. Slowly but surely, low-income women and their families will have access to the affordable, nutritious food they deserve.
Proposed WIC Increases for Fruit and Vegetable Vouchers for Children in 2011
President Obama's budget requests funds for the full Institute of Medicine-recommended fruit and vegetable voucher levels for children. If Congress includes this change in their final appropriations, WIC-enrolled children will receive an additional $2 to bring their full monthly benefit to $8 in fruit and vegetable vouchers.
For more information, visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic and http://www.frac.org/WIC.