While the government is shutdown, FRAC’s advocacy efforts continue
The bottom line: Based on what we know now, WIC can remain operational during a short-term shutdown if steps are taken to support the program. Stakeholders should look to their WIC agencies for official updates on operations.
WIC Advocacy Needed
The Senate-passed funding level ($8.2 billion) for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) ensures that WIC can meet anticipated participation and safeguard the cash value benefit (CVB) that allows WIC participants to purchase fruits and vegetables.
Take Action:
Individuals – Use the FRAC Action Network to easily send a pre-populated email, or craft your own, to your Members of Congress. Use and share the FRAC-led letter signed by nearly 400 organizations that urges Congress its nearly 30-year bipartisan commitment to fully fund WIC.
New Resource – Connecting Families to WIC: A Practical Toolkit for Health Care Providers
Developed by Kimberly Montez, MD, MPH, FAAP, and Kofi Essel, MD, MPH, FAAP, in partnership with FRAC, Connecting Families to WIC: A Practical Toolkit for Health Care Providers, is designed to help health care professionals more effectively identify and address gaps in participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
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 40 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 the Center for Nutrition and Health Impact. The National Head Start Association is a collaborating partner. Learn more about WIC CIAO and grantee projects at HelloWIC.org.
