Full funding for WIC, permanent expansion of virtual service options headline recommendations to ensure critical health and nutrition services for women and families
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National WIC Association (NWA), the nonprofit education and advocacy voice for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), announced today its 2025 policy priorities, including full funding for WIC, a permanent expansion of its virtual service options, and continued implementation of updates to the WIC food package.
In a letter to the co-chairs of President-elect Trump’s transition team co-chairs, NWA president and CEO Georgia Machell touted WIC’s 50-year history of providing critical nutrition and health support to women and families, along with historic bipartisan support for the program among presidential administrations and members of Congress. Machell also highlighted the cost-efficiency of investments in WIC, noting that for every federal dollar spent on WIC, about $2.48 is returned in healthcare cost savings.
“More than 6.8 million women, babies, and young children across the country — and millions more across the country who are eligible but do not currently participate — are relying on the incoming Administration and Congress to ensure that WIC continues to be there for them. By following this blueprint, policymakers will ensure that this critical program is on even stronger ground in the years ahead,” said Machell. “With the right level of resources, WIC ensures that children and families across the country have what they need to thrive. We look forward to working together with the White House and members of Congress to get the job done.”
Highlights of NWA’s 2025 policy agenda for WIC include:
Fully funding WIC so that the program can continue to serve all current and prospective participants.
Making permanent the ability of WIC offices to offer virtual service options — such as allowing participants to be certified by phone or video appointment — that have made the program more accessible and helped spark an increase in enrollment. Without congressional action, these flexibilities will expire on September 30, 2026.
Protecting and continuing to implement updates to WIC’s evidence-based food packages that USDA finalized in 2024 that reflect advancements in nutrition science and offer participants more choices.
Increasing investments in WIC’s Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program and Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program to improve nutrition support for families on WIC and boost economic support for local farmers and other small vendors.
Supporting ongoing USDA efforts to modernize WIC’s service delivery models, including through anticipated forthcoming rulemaking related to online shopping.
“NWA represents more than 12,000 provider service agencies that support WIC participants in every congressional district across the country. We know that when the federal government invests in WIC agencies and families, the entire country benefits,” said Machell. “There is so much to be done to make the WIC experience even better than it is now. Working with policymakers across the political aisle, we intend to do just that in 2025 and beyond.”