For 40 years, the National WIC Association (NWA) has led the charge in advancing nutrition, health, and well-being for families across the country. As the nonprofit voice of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), NWA supports and strengthens the agencies serving over 6 million participants annually. Through advocacy, education, and strategic partnerships, we help ensure that every parent, regardless of race, income, or identity, has the support they need to raise healthy babies.
This blog highlights how our Guiding Principles continue to drive our work toward a nation of healthier families that advances equity and builds a more inclusive public health future for generations of mothers, children, and babies to come.
NWA recognizes that a healthy nation begins with healthy families. Our Guiding Principles are rooted in the belief that achieving health
equity is essential to advancing the well-being of all parents and children. As best said by Brisa Chavez, a WIC educator from Garfield County Public Health, the success behind WIC is in “making sure that the way the policies are written and the way that we are engaging our participants is really inviting everyone.”
To achieve this vision, NWA equips WIC staff across the nation with the tools, training, and leadership skills needed to educate and advocate for families, ensuring that they receive services and reach every community regardless of geography, identity, socioeconomic status, or ability. NWA not only empowers WIC staff to provide families with access to nutritious foods but also remains committed to achieving optimal health for all. We achieve this by working to improve the everyday factors that encompass a healthy upbringing, from safe housing to accessible healthcare. These measures work to eliminate structural inequalities such as racism and bias.
NWA’s Guiding Principles come to life through our ongoing initiatives, which center on health equity and ensure optimal health at every level of our work. One example is our Advancing Health Equity to Achieve Diversity & Inclusion in WIC (AHEAD) 3.0, which aims to enhance the understanding of and address barriers to WIC participation, particularly for Black, Brown, and Indigenous families. We also continue to engage in policy advocacy that centers on equity, from calling for full funding for the Expanded Cash Value Benefits (CVB) to opposing harmful budget cuts that would reduce access for the families who need WIC the most.
These efforts reflect what NWA has long advocated for and what public health research has proved: equity is not a separate goal, but a foundation for improving outcomes, reducing disparities, and building lasting trust between WIC and the communities we serve.
As NWA marks four decades of advocacy, impact, and innovation, our commitment to health equity remains at the heart of everything we do. The challenges families face today demand solutions that are grounded in justice, shaped by inclusion, and informed by the voices of the communities we serve.
We will continue to invest in evidence-based initiatives, build stronger partnerships, and push for policies that center the lived experiences of all parents. Whether you're a WIC staff member, partner, or advocate, we invite you to join us in this ongoing work and help shape a future where every family has the opportunity to thrive!