|  | Diet Nutrition | Healthy Eating

Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC)

The U.S. government launched the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children in 1972. A National Nutrition Survey conducted in 1967 revealed that malnutrition among lower-income families (specifically children and pregnant women) was resulting in anemia and stunted growth. Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey (D-Minnesota) sponsored the bill, which was then passed by Congress. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has overseen the program and its many changes during subsequent years.

  1. Program Description

    • The Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children, called "WIC" for short, is a United States government program that offers federal grants to states to help women and children in certain income and age brackets meet vital dietary needs. The participant eligibility requirements are the same for the 48 contiguous states, and differ slightly for Alaska and Hawaii. Each state makes its own decisions as to which foods are considered "WIC-eligible."

    WIC-Eligible Foods

    • WIC recipients can use vouchers to buy healthful foods at many local grocery stores and at local farmers markets and roadside produce stands that participate in WIC's Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Most states also provide food packages. The list of WIC-eligible foods is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and also on the infant feeding recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The foods included are meant to appeal to people of various cultural backgrounds. WIC-eligible foods include a variety of fresh and whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, cereals, grains, milk, cheese, tortillas, brown rice and soy milk.

    Applicant Eligibility

    • People who may be eligible for WIC include women who are pregnant or breast-feeding; postpartum women who are not breast-feeding; and infants or children up to age 5. The WIC program is intended specifically for those who have low income, and who find themselves at nutritional risk because they lack the money to eat a well-rounded, nutritious diet. WIC income eligibility guidelines are updated from year to year, and are based on the U.S. poverty guidelines. A link to the income brackets for qualifying to receive WIC is listed in the "References" section.

    Administering Agencies

    • While WIC is a program of the U.S. federal government, each state administers its own program through state health departments and Indian tribal organizations. People interested in applying for the WIC program should contact their state agency. The "Resources" section has a web link that provides contact information for all WIC agencies.

Healthy Eating - Related Articles