WIC Foods Are Getting Better – Show Your Support

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

Whole Grains

Dairy

Infant Food Package

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.