WIC Program FRAC Facts
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), a federal nutrition program, is widely recognized as an important safeguard for protecting and improving the health and nutrition of pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding individuals, infants, and children up to 5 years of age from households with low incomes.
Poor nutrition, poverty, and food insecurity have detrimental impacts on infant, child, and maternal health and well-being in the short and long terms. One critical strategy to address these issues is connecting
vulnerable families to the life-saving benefits of WIC.
WIC: A Powerful, Evidence-Based Nutrition and Health Program
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — known as WIC — connects eligible individuals (including infants, children up to 5 years old, and pregnant and postpartum individuals) to essential nutrition resources and support, including healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals.
Research shows that WIC is a vital economic, nutrition, and health support for children and families.
Nearly 50 percent of all infants born in the U.S. benefit from WIC.
Updated WIC Food Packages
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a final rule in April 2024 revising the food packages for WIC. The updated food packages will have a longstanding positive impact on program participation, health outcomes for WIC participants, and addressing health disparities. The rule announced by USDA marks a critical step toward equitable access to nutritious food by improving the nutritional quality of the foods offered, making WIC more client-centered, and increasing the value of the program’s food package.
Spread the word about these important updates with FRAC’s toolkit (English and Spanish) and customizable graphics. Read more in FRAC’s statement.
- Learn More: WIC Resources
- WIC Basics
- WIC Participation Data
- Strategies for Connecting Families to WIC
- Get Engaged
Project Spotlight
The WIC Community Innovation and Outreach (WIC CIAO) Project: Supported by a five-year cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service the WIC CIAO Project will identify innovative outreach strategies to increase WIC awareness, participation, and benefit redemption, and to reduce disparities in WIC Program delivery.
The WIC CIAO Project is a partnership between the Food Research & Action Center, UnidosUS, Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, and Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition. Learn more about WIC CIAO and grantee projects at HelloWIC.org.
