Woman, Infants and Children receive stronger food assistance in the US

According to Reuters, the Federal Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC) is now able to provide more extensive food assistance to women, infants and children. Originally, WIC vouchers were long limited to such basics as milk, infant formula, cheese, eggs, cereals, bread and tuna fish. But now recipients will have greater access to fruits, vegetables, and whole grains under the new overhaul of the program.

The change is a boost by 30 percent, or $2 per month, for a child’s fruits and vegetable purchases. This will ultimately help meet the nutritional and cultural needs of our hungry neighbors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already noted changes in the WIC program as a factor in the decline of obesity rates among low-income preschool children. In 2011, this $7 billion program provided food assistance to 2 million adults and roughly 7 million children. This program was administered by 1,800 local agencies and some 9,000 clinics.