WIC Food Package

The Habit-Forming Effect of Subsidies: Evidence from WIC

WIC vouchers change purchasing decisions consistent with the nutritional guidelines of the program. However, we find that households exposed longer to the revised package are generally not more likely to continue to purchase these items after eligibility ends.

AAP Supports Childhood Nutrition Programs to Promote Lifelong Health

One in five U.S. households with children is food insecure with unreliable or inconsistent access to adequate nutrition. Malnutrition and food insecurity can have profound effects on a child’s health, […]

A randomized controlled trial of nutrition education to promote farmers’ market fruit and vegetable purchases and consumption among women enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): rationale and design of the WIC Fresh Start program

WFS participants consumed more fruit (2.7 cups/day) but less vegetables (1.4 cups/day) than did women nationwide (1.1 and 1.4 cups/day, respectively; P <0.01). Although participants consumed recommended amounts of fruit, their vegetable intake was below recommended levels.

The Positive Effects of the Revised Milk and Cheese Allowances in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

The 2009 WIC revisions led to a substantial decrease in purchases of whole milk and cheese among WIC families in New England.

Differences in Energy and Micronutrient Intakes Among Central Texas WIC Infants and Toddlers After the Package Change

After the package change, usual energy intakes exceeded recommended levels for infants but fell below recommended levels for toddlers. Also after the package change, mean usual intake of vitamin D was below the EAR for toddlers, and mean usual intakes of vitamin A and zinc exceeded the Tolerable Upper Intake Level for all groups.

Changing WIC Changes What Children Eat

These findings demonstrate that positive changes in dietary intake and reductions in obesity followed implementation of the USDA-mandated cost-neutral revisions to the WIC food package for the hundreds of thousands of young children participating in the NYS WIC program.

Effects of Reduced Juice Allowances in Food Packages for the Women, Infants, and Children Program

After the WIC revisions, total purchases of 100% juice among WIC households declined by about a quarter, with little compensation occurring from non-WIC funds for juice and other beverages.

The Effect of Revised WIC Food Packages on Native American Children

Overall, the survey results for Native American WIC children indicate a shift toward healthier eating patterns, including increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat/fat-free milk. Significant changes were observed for milk and grain products.

Federal Food Package Revisions: Effects on Purchases of Whole-Grain Products

The 2009 WIC revisions significantly increased purchases of whole-grain bread and rice among WIC-participating families.

The 18-Month Impact of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Food Package Revisions on Diets of Recipient Families

Eighteen months following the WIC food package revisions, significant decreases in total fat and saturated fat and increases in dietary fiber and overall diet quality were observed among Hispanic children only. No significant changes in nutrient intake or diet quality were observed for any other group.