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By Aliss Higham
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The U.S. Food and Nutrition Service has announced updates to goods included in packages for certain SNAP recipients.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Tuesday that the list of foods that can be prescribed to those taking part in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, more commonly known as WIC, after recommendations from scientists.
WIC is a federal grant provided to states to help low- or no-income women who are pregnant or postpartum and their children who have been found to be at nutritional risk. The money is used to provide nutritious foods, counseling on healthy eating, breastfeeding support and other healthcare related services. Many Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who meet the criteria are eligible to also use WIC, and the program serves around 6.6 million mothers, infants and young children, according to the USDA.
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"These improvements to the WIC food packages support fruit and vegetable consumption by increasing the amount provided and the varieties available for purchase," the USDA said in a press release issued on April 9. It means there will be a "permanent a significant boost to the fruit and vegetable benefit," with recipients expected to now receive four times as much as they would normally.
Changes to what WIC recipients get may not be immediate, with the USDA outlining that states have up to two years to implement the changes. WIC is funded by the federal government but like SNAP benefits is administered at state or county level.
The updated list of foods includes:
- Expansion of wholegrain options, including quinoa, blue cornmeal and teff.
- Updates to the diary category, including flexibility on package sizes and non-dairy substitution options such as plant-based yogurts, cheeses, and lactose-free milk.
- Canned fish.
- Canned beans.
- More flexibility in the amount of breastfeeding formula.
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The changes have been made following the securing of $1 billion in funding by the Biden-Harris administration for the 2024 fiscal year.
"WIC has a half-century track record of caring for young families. USDA and the Biden-Harris Administration are committed to ensuring that moms, babies and young children continue to thrive through WIC," said Vilsack. "These participant-centered changes will strengthen WIC by ensuring the foods participants receive reflect the latest nutrition science to support healthy eating and the brightest futures."
"For the 6.6 million moms, babies and young children who participate in WIC—and the millions more eligible to participate—these improvements to our food packages have the potential to make positive, life-long impacts on health and well-being," said Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Cindy Long.
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