The USDA finalized changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to further improve the nutrition and health of the nation's low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children.

The changes, which increase access to low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains are based on the latest nutrition science. The announcement marks the completion of the first comprehensive revisions to the WIC food packages since 1980.

"The updates to the WIC food package make pivotal improvements to the program and better meet the diverse nutritional needs of mothers and their young children," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "The foods provided by the WIC program, along with education that focuses on the critical role of breastfeeding and proper nutrition, help to ensure that every American child has the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong."

Along with a more than 30 percent increase in the dollar amount for children's fruits and vegetables purchases, the changes also:

  • Provide yogurt as a partial milk substitute for children and women
  • Expand whole grain options available to participants
  • Allow parents of older infants to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables instead of jarred infant food if they choose, and
  • Give states and local WIC agencies more flexibility to meet the nutritional and cultural needs of WIC participants
The revisions reflect public comments submitted in response to the first major changes in more than 30 years that were published as interim requirements in December 2007, which updated regulations governing WIC foods to align them more closely with updated nutrition science, recommendations of the National Academies' Institute of Medicine and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Federal government's benchmark for healthy eating and nutrition.
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—From USDA news release