National WIC Association

June 24, 2021

House Bill Extends Popular WIC Benefit Increase

Press contact: Natalie Moran, nmoran@nwica.org

 

Earlier today, the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee unveiled its fiscal year 2022 bill, funding the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) at $6 billion. The bill extends the American Rescue Plan Act’s temporary increase in WIC’s fruit and vegetable benefit until September 2022.

 

Rev. Douglas Greenaway, President & CEO of the National WIC Association, issued the following statement in response:

 

“WIC’s role in building nutrition security for American families is a proven, efficient means for preventing chronic diet-related conditions like diabetes and obesity, reducing overall healthcare expenditures, and ensuring that children get a healthy start. Providing life-changing nutrition supports, making it easier for kids to eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables leads to a healthier next generation and a healthier, stronger nation. Chairman Bishop’s visionary bill would extend critical WIC investments until September 2022, ensuring that millions of families can put more produce on the table.

 

“Just yesterday, USDA released a new study demonstrating that SNAP participants face significant barriers to maintaining healthy diets, with 61% reporting challenges related to affordability of nutritious foods, like fruits and vegetables. In the American Rescue Plan Act, Congress included a bipartisan proposal that more than tripled the WIC benefit for fruits and vegetables – from $9 or $11 per month to $35 per month. Participants across the country are overjoyed with the additional healthy benefit, allowing for more purchases and greater variety of fruit and vegetables for their children.

 

“The House bill unites the interests of agriculture and consumers by thoughtfully expanding markets for producers, meeting the shopping patterns of WIC participants, and doubling down on WIC’s scientific basis in shaping nutritious diets that lead to healthier outcomes for women, infants, and young children. We look forward to working with Chairman Bishop and additional champions in both chambers to advance these urgent WIC investments and ensure that every family can offer their child a healthy start.”