Pregnant women, new mothers and their babies could be getting a stronger incentive to eat their fruits and veggies.
A new report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies recommends expanding the amount of fruits, vegetables and whole grains available to participants in WIC — the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.
And when those changes are implemented in roughly 18 months, expect the new food offerings to be available to eligible mothers and children living in Europe, local WIC officials say.
The program offers food vouchers or coupons for low-income families to purchase selected items that offer needed nutritional benefit.
The WIC program pays for extra iron-fortified infant formula and infant cereal, iron-fortified adult cereal, vitamin C-rich fruit and vegetable juice, eggs, milk, cheese, peanut butter, dried beans, peas, tuna fish and carrots.
Offices opened at U.S. installations in Europe in 2001, with the overseas WIC program now serving roughly 16,000 people.
Since the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched the program in the 1970s, food offerings have changed little. But new federal dietary guidelines recommend a daily intake of more fruits and vegetables.
Under the current WIC program, the only fruits and vegetables available are juice for all participants 4 months and older, and carrots for new mothers who breast-feed.
The late April report proposes that WIC participants receive vouchers or coupons for fresh produce totaling $10 per month for each woman and $8 a month per child. The amount is equivalent to one to two servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
The Department of Agriculture, which requested the study in September 2003, now has 18 months to update the WIC program food offerings.
“Decisions to alter existing stateside food packages have not been made, but changes in the future can be expected,” according to a written statement from Kimberly Spano, regional manager of the WIC Overseas program. “When they occur, the WIC Overseas foods packages will change as well because WIC Overseas Program policies are based on United States Department of Agriculture guidance and support.”
What is WIC?
Members of the armed forces, civilian employees, Department of Defense Dependents Schools System overseas employees and DOD contractors living overseas and their family members may be eligible to participate in the WIC Overseas program.
The program provides benefits to women during pregnancy and after the birth of their child. Benefits may be provided to the mother until the infant is 6 months old, or for mothers who are breast-feeding, until the child’s first birthday. Eligible children may participate up to the age of 5.
Income and family size, as well as certain other criteria, are considered when determining eligibility. Those interested should contact their local WIC Overseas office to determine eligibility.
Source: WIC Overseas program
