WIC COSTS

WIC provides Federal grants to state for providing supplemental foods, nutrition education including breastfeeding promotion and support, and health care and social service referrals to nutritionally at-risk, low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5. The program cost the federal government $6.7 billion in FY 2010, $4.6 billion of which were food costs. The average monthly food package costs across all WIC participant categories in were $41.44. One-fifth of those food costs were attributable to infant formula and an additional 20% to milk. Fruit and vegetable costs accounted for 13% and breakfast cereal 11%.

Source: Urban Institute, 9/9/13,WIC