The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting public comments on the proposed rule to update the WIC (Women, Infant, Children) food package, kicking off a 90-day review period that will run through February 21, 2023.
The evidence-based proposal incorporates many of the recommendations made by an independent review panel of the National Academies of Sciences in 2017, enhancing the value of the food package for participants while targeting key under-consumed nutrients.
The proposed changes include making the recent increase in WIC’s fruits and vegetable benefit permanent; increasing flexibility in package size and substitutions; introducing seafood across child and adult food packages, and incorporating new cultural options and enhancing cereal standards to boost whole grain intake.
All members of the WIC community—including WIC staff, participants, and community partners—are strongly encouraged to submit a public comment and have their voice heard.
NWA has launched a comment platform, including simple template language and additional resources detailing the proposed changes.