The US Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service is expected to release proposals later today (7 August) to update food packages for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC.
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Since it was created in 1974, the WIC programme has remained essentially unchanged and it is widely anticipated that the USDA’s proposals will be the most far-reaching of their kind. The proposed changes, it is speculated, are likely to update packages to allow for current dietary advice to eat fruits and vegetables.
Consumer groups and industry bodies have welcomed the move.
“Despite the 32 year wait, we could not be more excited with USDA’s release today of its proposal to update the WIC Food Packages to include for the first time fruits and vegetables! NWA has pushed for these changes for nearly a decade to help WIC play its part in fighting the nation’s obesity epidemic,” Peggy Lewis, National WIC Association president, said.
“The inclusion of fruits and vegetables and a wider variety of foods to increase cultural acceptability and intakes of nutrients and the inclusion of whole-grain products are the critical tools WIC needs in the Food Packages to reinforce the nutrition education messages we give mothers and children in WIC clinics!” she continued. “This proposal brings the WIC Food Packages in line with current dietary science.”
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By GlobalDataUnited Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association’s vice president of nutrition and health Dr. Lorelei DiSogra said: “United has implemented numerous programs to dramatically grow fruit and vegetable consumption by changing the environment in which children make food choices in America. We are extremely pleased with today’s announcement because it reflects current nutrition science and will help lower-income families eat a healthier diet.”
