Proposed Changes to WIC Food Package Will Help Infants
In November 2022, the USDA released proposed changes to the WIC Program food package, including three key changes affecting food packages for infants. These proposed changes are real improvements, not a mere shuffling of requirements. Importantly they better align with infant development and the real world needs of families.
What is the WIC Program?
WIC is the acronym for the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children, a USDA program that has profound influence on American families. Close to 50% of babies born in the United States are born to mom’s who participate in the WIC Program. WIC’s mission is:
To safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.
The WIC Program is one of America’s premier public health programs, though I may be biased since I worked for the North Carolina WIC Program for many years.
What are WIC Food Packages?
WIC Works Resource System, USDA
“Food package” is an administrative term for the specific combination and amounts of foods provided to a WIC participant, i.e., milk, cheese, whole grains, infant formula, etc. In addition to specific foods, participants also receive a Cash Value Voucher (CVV), which they use to buy fruits and vegetables. A CVV can be used for fresh, frozen, and canned foods.
Each food package (there are 7 of them) is designed for the nutritional needs of a specific group of participants. Thus, the types of foods and maximum amounts vary by food package.
While each food package is assigned a number, they are more commonly referred to by the demographic category. There are food packages for younger and older infants, pregnant women, children and for post-partum women who breastfeed and those who don’t. The breastfeeding food package was introduced in 1992 (The National Academies has an excellent infographic showing the history of the WIC Food package).
Infant Food Packages
Post-partum WIC food packages are tied to the food package that her infant receives. Mom and baby are treated as a pair, which makes sense when one thinks about WIC’s mission.
Currently, post-partum WIC food packages are strictly defined by breast feeding status. A mom is breastfeeding, or she is not. There is no in between, which is an ivory-tower interpretation of infant feeding. At least one-third of breastfeeding infants also receive some formula. Yet, infants whose mother are assigned a breastfeeding food package don’t receive any formula. And moms who supplement with just a little formula lose out on extra nutrients available in the breastfeeding food packages. This is about to change!
Proposed WIC Food Package Change for Infants
Infants Who Breast and Formula Feed
One of the proposed changes to the WIC Food package will correct this narrow view of feeding and will allow more flexibility in the food package content for families who breastfeed and formula feed. Specifically, the proposed rule change would:
Increase formula amounts in the first month for partially (mostly) breastfed infants, thus preventing the dyad from being classified as non-breastfeeding
Create a separate and enhanced food package for partially (mostly) breastfeeding participants.
Given the large number of women who mix feed, this rule change has could have great influence on infant and maternal health. Most importantly, it reflects the real-world experience of families.
Infants Who Eat Solids
Two other proposed changes will affect infants who eat solids.
First, the USDA proposes lowering the amount of infant cereal all infants receive, because they are receiving too much. An analysis by the National Academies estimates that the current food package provides 150% of infant cereal needs. I’ve met many women who were giving their baby cereal instead of other foods simply to use up their WIC benefits. Others were embarrassed to tell me how cereal was in their cabinets. This change makes financial and nutritional sense.
Second, the USDA is proposing that older infants can receive a cash value voucher (CVV) instead of puree baby food. This change requires a little explanation.
At the moment, infants over six months receive pureed baby fruits, vegetables, and meats (the kind that come in jars or 4 oz plastic packs). Purees are a great way to start feeding, but they are only one step along the feeding journey. Some families never even use purees!
Supporting Child Development
If the proposed changes were put into place families could swap out purees for a CVV, and buy fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables. Instead of smooth purees, a family can provide mashed, minced, dice, and soft table foods to their baby. Such foods help a baby develop their feeding skills and are a recommended texture progression for feeding.
iStock
How to Support the Proposed Changes
The proposed changes to the infant WIC Food Packages are a modernization of the program. They better support the nutritional and feeding needs of infants. Moreover, they better reflect the real-world experiences and preferences of families. You can read about all the proposed changes on the Regulations.gov website.
The UDSA is accepting comments on these proposed changes until Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Commenting isn’t just for large groups. Individuals are encouraged to comment too.
And a last reminder. WIC isn’t just for people on public assistance programs or people who ae unemployed. Income can be up to 185% of the Federal poverty level. If you know someone who may benefit from the WIC Program, encourage them to use the WIC pre-screening tool and apply to WIC in their local community. Each State WIC Program has a website and also has toll-free numbers.
Points to Remember:
After years of careful analysis, the USDA is proposing significant Improvements to the WIC Program Food Package. Three of those changes will significantly affect the infant food packages.
Infant Food packages are linked to the food package that mom receives. The proposed changes will improve administrative and nutritional flexibility, including:
Better nutritional support for families who breastfeed and formula feed
Providing adequate not excessive infant cereal.
Active support for the full range of infant feeding skills, not just early skills
Comments on these changes are due on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.