This year, the National WIC Association proudly celebrates 40 years of advocacy and impact, championing policies that have strengthened the WIC food package and expanded access to nutrition education and support. The health of mothers, infants, and children is a key indicator of our nation’s future well-being, and WIC plays an important role in ensuring every WIC-eligible family has access to nutritious foods during the most critical stages of development.
As we celebrate both National Nutrition Month and four decades of NWA’s advocacy, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how the WIC food package has evolved and how the WIC community continues to shape the future of WIC nutrition and policy.
From Policy to Plate
WIC’s food package isn’t just a list of approved foods, it is a carefully crafted science-based nutrition intervention. As we learn new things through nutrition science, WIC’s food package has to reflect and evolve to meet the diversifying needs of all participants better. Each month, WIC participants can receive benefits that allow them to purchase specific healthy foods, which are designed to improve access to healthy foods (e.g., whole grains, and vegetables), increase breastfeeding initiation among WIC mothers, and enhance participant consumption of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Under the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, the WIC food package is reviewed every 10 years with recommendations grounded in the most recently available science. However, to ensure these updates fully reflect the diverse needs of WIC families, public input is also a vital part of the process. When the USDA proposes changes to the WIC food package rule and opens a comment period, WIC participants, staff, and advocates can make their voices heard. Public comments reinforce the importance of science-based nutrition policy, help address gaps, and ensure that WIC families continue to receive the best possible support.
NWA’s Role in Mobilizing the Public Comment Process
During the most recent food package update process in 2023, NWA launched a campaign to encourage WIC providers, participating families, national and community partners, and other interested stakeholders to offer their views and perspectives on how WIC food packages can be improved. NWA mobilized the public comment process by creating an easy-to-use comment platform to make your voices heard.
As WIC experts, it is essential for USDA to hear the perspectives, experiences, and voices of WIC advocates, families, and stakeholders. Public comments expressed strong support for USDA’s efforts to:
Permanently increase fruit and vegetable benefits, helping WIC families meet 50% of the recommended fruit and vegetable intake outlined in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs),
Expand seafood options in children’s and adult food packages to enhance nutrition,
Strengthen standards for WIC-approved products, including cereals and dairy, to improve child health by increasing whole grain intake reducing added sugars and saturated fats, and more!
These updates helped ensure WIC families have access to the food packages and healthiest options possible.
Shaping Healthier Tomorrows, 40 Years and Counting
For 40 years, NWA has played a key role in shaping the WIC food package, advocating for changes that improve maternal and child health. Updates over the years such as increasing the Cash Value Benefit for fruits and vegetables, expanding access to culturally appropriate foods, and adding flexibility for purchases reflect broader nutrition policy shifts driven by NWA and WIC agencies nationwide.
Looking ahead, continued public engagement remains essential in shaping WIC’s future. NWA’s advocacy has shown the power of collective action in driving policy change. During National Nutrition Month and 40 years of NWA, we celebrate these milestones and reaffirm our commitment to strengthening WIC, advancing nutrition security, and supporting the health of future generations.