WIC Foods Are Getting Better – Show Your Support

PHFE WIC
Jan 24, 2023
1 min read

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing to change the WIC food package for the first time in over ten years.

Some changes proposed include the following:

keep the increased fruit and vegetable benefit,
offer more options for whole grains,
add seafood to children, pregnant and postpartum packages,
and offer more substitutions for all food packages.

The new changes would also allow families to shop for different sizes for all food categories (except infant formula).

How could the food package change?

Fruits and Vegetables

The increased fruits and vegetables benefit that families are receiving would be permanent.
Families could purchase fresh herbs such as cilantro or parsley with their fruit and vegetable benefit.
Participants could choose less juice and more fruits and vegetable benefits.
WIC stores would be required to have at least three different forms of vegetables.

Protein

Seafood would be added to children over two, pregnant, and postpartum food packages.
Canned legumes would be an added option.
Eggs could be exchanged for legumes, peanut butter, or tofu.

Whole Grains

Cultural options, including quinoa, wild rice, teff, buckwheat, corn meal, triticale, millet, amaranth, kamut, sorghum, wheat berries, tortillas with folic acid-fortified corn masa flour, whole wheat pita, English muffins, bagels, and naan would be added.
The amount whole grains pregnant and postpartum parents receive would increase.
Stronger cereal standards that add more whole grains and limit added sugars.

Dairy

Families have more flexibility when shopping for yogurt, tofu, cheese, or milk benefits.
Soy based yogurts and cheeses would be allowed.

Infant Food Package

Parents could exchange half or all of their jarred infant fruits and vegetables for more fresh fruits and vegetables benefit.
Infant cereal and jarred infant food amounts would be reduced to meet the current dietary guidelines.
Formula could be issued in customized amounts to help support breastfeeding parents meet their goals.

When would changes to the WIC food package happen?

WIC food package changes would not happen immediately. The commenting period for USDA’s proposed WIC food package rule is now open until February 21, 2023. After the commenting period, USDA will review all comments before making a final ruling. We could see changes to the WIC food package as soon as 2024.