Media Contact:
Jordan Baker jbaker@frac.org202-640-1118
Statement attributable to Luis Guardia, President, Food Research & Action Center (FRAC)
WASHINGTON, November 17, 2023 — FRAC is deeply disappointed that this week’s Continuing Resolution to prevent a government shutdown does not prioritize additional funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
As hunger continues to climb among children and households headed by single mothers, it should be of the utmost importance to ensure that the program can continue to provide all who are eligible with the nutrition they need without interruption.
WIC is a lifeline for nearly 6.7 million women and young children, including roughly half of all infants born in the U.S. It has been a source of relief and support for families, and provides wide-ranging benefits and services, including safer pregnancies, improved dietary outcomes, and the healthy growth and development of children.
In the past, Congress has recognized the profound benefits of WIC by making significant investments in WIC and other federal nutrition programs, which included increasing the monthly value of the fruit and vegetable benefits for women and children consistent with the National Academy of Science recommendations. This, along with innovative outreach and increased demand, has fueled the ability of WIC to reach the increasing numbers of those who are eligible.
However, the lack of additional funding jeopardizes the ability to support increasing caseloads.
WIC participants are facing the risk of losing these vital benefits if Congress does not include enough funding for WIC in the final fiscal year 2024 appropriations package. This would result in an unfortunate disruption of services and long waiting lists, leaving more women, infants, and young children hungry and unable to access other critical WIC services.
Congress must do everything in its power to prevent this crisis from taking place and ensure that states can provide WIC benefits and services to pregnant and postpartum women with low incomes and their young children.
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The Food Research & Action Center improves the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy, partnerships, and by advancing bold and equitable policy solutions. To learn more, visit FRAC.org and follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
