WIC Food Changes:A Healthy Opportunity

WIC 101: America’s Premier Public Health Nutrition Program

Started in 1972 as a Congress-legislated pilot program.

Greatest single point of nutrition and health care access for low-income, pregnant and postpartum women, breastfeeding mothers, infants and children.

Over 30 years of preventing maternal and child health problems and improving long-term health of its participants.

What are the Benefits?

Quality nutrition education and services; Breastfeeding promotion and education; Monthly food package;

Links to maternal and pediatric health-care and other social services.

WIC Participation

Nationally, WIC serves: 1 out of 2 infants born in the US,

1 out of 4 children aged 1- 4,

Over 8 million women, infants, and children every month.

Who’s Eligible?

Pregnant or postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5;

Income level up to 185% of the poverty level – $37,000 for a family of four;

Documented state residency;

Documented nutrition risk.

California WIC Facts America’s largest WIC Program, administered by

California Department of Health Services (will soon be in Department of Public Health);

82 WIC Agencies, through 623 local WIC sites, serve 1.38 million mothers and children, partering with over 4,000 grocery stores;

Over 60% of children born in California receive WIC

WIC Enrollment:Reflects California’s Diversity

Asian/Pacific Islanders

6%

Black7%

American Indian or Alaskan Natives

1%

White12%

Hispanic74%

The WIC Food Packages: The Time For Change Is Now

Current WIC Food Packages Seven different monthly food packages—based

on participant categories. Include nutrients that were commonly lacking in

the diets of low-income populations. Iron-fortified infant formula and infant cereal,

milk, eggs, cheese, peanut butter, dried beans and peas, 100% vitamin C-rich juices, iron-fortified cereals, tuna fish, and carrots.

Time for a Change Since WIC’s inception more than 30 years ago:

significant demographic changes have occurred,

new nutrition science information has emerged, obesity epidemic has become a major public

health concern, diet-related chronic diseases have increased, changes in the dietary pattern and food supply

have been observed.

IOM Food Package Study

In September 2003, the IOM was asked by the USDA to evaluate the WIC food packages to determine if revisions were needed, and to keep recommended changes cost-neutral.

In April 2005, the IOM released a report that proposed significant reforms, entitled WIC Food Packages: Time for a Change.

Proposed IOM Food Packages The Committee proposed that WIC foods

be consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005; Fruits and vegetables for participants 6

months of age and older, Only whole-grain cereals and additional

whole-grain products, Milk and cheese in reduced quantities and fat

content.

Proposed IOM Food Packages

They urged a wider variety of foods: Increased cultural acceptability and appeal, Increased intakes of inadequate nutrients,

Alternative calcium-rich food sources: lower fat yogurt, calcium-set tofu, and fortified soy beverages,

Different forms of beans and peas (canned or dry).

Proposed IOM Food Packages

IOM wanted WIC foods to align with recent American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations on early feeding: Fruit juice for children in recommended

quantities, Complementary foods to infants starting at 6

months.

Proposed IOM Food Packages

The Committee proposed food packages that better promote and support breastfeeding: Exclusively breastfeeding mother/infant pairs

receive greater quantities and wider varieties of foods, as an additional incentive;

Formula not provided to exclusively breastfed infants.

USDA Proposed Rule Published 8/7/06!

Largely follows the IOM recommendations.The changes will, if implemented:

reinforce the nutrition education/counseling provided by WIC staff,

help participants establish dietary patterns that promote life-long good nutritional health,

supply a reliable source of supplemental nutritious foods.

New USDA Food Package Rules

Addition of:Vouchers for fruits and vegetables for $6 per

child and $8 per woman/month● Fresh, processed or combined fruits and

vegetables for children and women;● Baby foods, including meats, for fully breast-fed

infants;● Baby foods (fruits and vegetables) for all infants

6-11 months

New USDA Food Package Rules

Addition of:

● Alternatives to milk – calcium-set tofu, calcium and Vitamin D-rich soy beverage

● Canned or baked beans or peas allowed as an alternate to dried legumes.

● Canned fish choices beyond tuna – salmon, sardines● Whole wheat bread and other whole grain options:

tortillas, brown rice, etc.

New USDA Food Package Rules

Reductions in:

● Infant formula for partially breast-fed infants, and for fully formula-fed infants 6-11 months old

● Quantity of eggs● Milk for children and women● Juice for children and women

New USDA Food Package Rules

Elimination of:

● Juice for all infants, substituting baby food fruits and vegetables

● Whole milk for participants age 2 years and older – lower fat milks only.

WIC Community Position

WIC providers support the proposed USDA Rules that reflect science-based recommendations of IOM, because they:

Align WIC Foods with the current national dietary guidelines;

Provide greater consistency with the feeding guidelines of the AAP for children < 2 years

Reinforce WIC nutrition education messages and positively impact the health of WIC families

WIC Community Position

Support for the proposed Rules that reflect science-based recommendations of IOM:

Promote, incentivize and support long-term successful breastfeeding;

Address the cultural food preferences of diverse WIC populations through dairy substitutions and whole grain options;

Is cost-neutral.

What Can You Do?

Support USDA’s historic reforms to the WIC Food Packages!

Access the complete Proposed Rule at: www.fns.usda.gov/wic/regspublished/foodpackagesrevisions-

proposedrule.htm.

Adapt CWA model comments and urge all partners and participants to write to USDA, at www.calwic.org.

Public comments are due by November 6, 2006.

Thanks for your support!

For more information, contact:

www.calwic.orgCalifornia WIC Association

1107 Ninth Street, Suite 625Sacramento, CA 95814

916/448-2280