WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Sunday, congressional leaders released government funding legislation that includes a more than $1 billion funding increase for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). The bill also maintains the increased Cash Value Benefit that provides more dollars for WIC participants to purchase fruits and vegetables.
The following is a statement from Georgia Machell, Interim President & CEO of the National WIC Association.
“This bill marks a seminal moment in the 50-year history of the WIC program. If members of Congress approve this legislation — and we urge them in the strongest possible terms to do so — this historic funding increase will allow WIC to continue living up to the program’s promise: any person eligible for WIC should have full access to it, and no one should be turned away. The bill also maintains the increased fruit and vegetable benefit which has been instrumental in helping families afford nutritious food in recent years.
In a time when hunger, poverty and maternal mortality are all rising, providing WIC with the resources it needs has never been more critical. This bill does exactly that. Congress should move quickly to enact this major victory for families across the United States.”