The Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC), which provides food assistance to low income mothers and their babies/small children has had its first major modification in three decades. Whole grains, fruit and vegetables have been added to the list of items the US government will cover. The WIC, which was created in 1972, complements the nutritional requirements of participants – a new thrust is helping combat obesity. Currently, 8.5 million mothers in the USA are participants in this program.

Current benefits of approximately $39 per month do not change. Participants can buy the revised list of food with their WIC vouchers.

A participant can swap items, e.g. whole wheat bread can be swapped for soft corn tortillas, or canned/frozen fruit and/or vegetables. The aim is to reflect the cultural diversity of participants.

There are inducements to encourage women to breastfeed, and continue breastfeeding. Less baby formula (manufactured milk for babies) is provided to partially breastfed infants, while fully breastfeeding women get $10 fruit and vegetable vouchers, compared to $8 dollar vouchers for other women.

Acting Agriculture Secretary (USA), Chuck Conner’s speech

Acting Agriculture Secretary (USA), Chuck Conner, announced a new food package for women, babies and children. During his speech, Conner announced that a new website My Pyramid for Moms, which is aimed at expectant women and new moms – provides guidance on their specific nutrition requirements.

He then went on to talk about the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC), explaining that the first major revision of it has just happened. He stressed that fruits, vegetables and whole grains now form a major part of the program. Food packaging for babies and young children will conform to the guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

WIC will include –

— New food categories and optional substitutions
— Fruits and vegetables for women and children
— Baby foods for infants six-to-12 months of age; and in some cases
— sSoy-based beverages and tofu as milk alternatives for women and children who desire that option
— Whole wheat bread or other grain options such as soft corn tortillas for women and children

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has designed these changes to meet the very special needs of the WCI participants, who need help during the crucial times of growth and development for both themselves and their young children.

This is one of the USDA’s 15 nutrition assistance programs that work in harmony to supply low-income children and their families with better health through better nutrition, Conner added. WCI is available in all 50 US states, as well as the District of Columbia, tribal organizations and America’s territories.

According to Conner, WIC has helped reduce the number of premature births, infant mortality, as well as other birth-related issues. As far as education is concerned, health care referrals and social services help increase immunization rates and help children grow up to be healthier and stronger.

The revisions announced by Conner will advance those goals by providing a healthier diet for the nation’s most valuable resource – the country’s children, as well as those who provide people with their first nutritional experiences, pregnant women and their mothers.

Conner explained that without the help of several dedicated people and their expert guidance, the program could not have got to where it is today. He gave a special thanks to the National Academies’ Institute of Medicine for their study of the nutritional requirements of the WIC population. The study included 46,000 comments on the proposed rules – crucial data during the drafting of this interim final rule.

— Transcript Of Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner’s Remarks At The Rollout Of The Women, Infants And Children’s New Food Package
— Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
— Advantages of Breastfeeding

Written by – Christian Nordqivst