LOUISVILLE – This month, Kentucky’s Women, Infants, and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC) is rolling out updates to its food packages. These changes align with the latest USDA nutrition guidelines and aim to give WIC families more choices and flexibility.
“Families will notice the updates during their next issuance, so it’s important to keep your upcoming WIC appointment,” said Summer Scott, the nutrition and lactation program manager for the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness. “At that visit, your nutritionist can guide you in switching to a new food package. You can also find the updated WIC-approved food list in your WIC Shopper App.”
What’s New:
- More variety in product sizes, especially for whole grains and infant foods.
- Introduction of canned fish as an option for women and children.
- Increased whole-grain and cereal selections.
- New choices like beans or peanut butter instead of eggs, and the possibility to get yogurt instead of milk, with up to two quarts allowed.
What’s Changing:
- Juice portions are now reduced to 64 ounces.
- Whole grains adjusted to 48 ounces for most women and 24 ounces for children.
- Some packages may have one less pound of cheese.
- Certain yogurts, breads, and cereals are removed due to updated nutrition standards.
Scott emphasized that talking with your WIC nutritionist can help you explore these new options tailored to your family’s needs. Engaging with WIC leads to healthier diets, reduces issues like premature births and low birth weight, and supports breastfeeding. It also improves access to important healthcare services.
Recent data show that programs like WIC do more than just provide food. A study by the USDA found that WIC participation increases the likelihood of receiving prenatal care by 35%, which is vital for healthy pregnancies. Furthermore, studies indicate that access to nutritious food through WIC is linked to better long-term health outcomes for children.
For more details about the updates to the WIC program, visit the USDA’s official page on WIC food packages here.
