WIC Milk For Low-Income Families Proposed To Be Cut by USDA

The USDA proposed reducing 25% of the amount of WIC milk that low-income families can receive. If the proposal passes, the amount will be reduced to 71% to 96% of the suggested daily amount.

 

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed reducing by as much as 25% of the amount of WIC milk that mothers and their children can receive. WIC stands for Women, Infants, and Children, a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program funded by the U.S. federal government.

According to Gruber, the USDA states that the decrease in the amount of WIC milk is a scientific recommendation by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. Originally, the amount of milk provided is up to 128% of the suggested daily amount of dairy. However, with the proposal, the amount of milk will be between 71% to 96% of the suggested daily amount. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that WIC is only a “supplemental” nutrition program. Therefore, the proposed reduction in the amount of WIC milk is true to its purpose.

READ ALSO: WIC Program: A Lifeline For Low-Income Families In Need Of Healthy Nutrition

Negative Response to the Decrease in WIC Milk

According to Lee, more than 6 million low-income families, with around 43% of them with infants, depend on the WIC program every month. The USDA states that 90% of Americans do not receive enough dairy products and the decrease in the amount of WIC milk may make matters worse. This means that the cut may have permanent negative effects on the health of women and their children.

In December 2022, 534 participants of the WIC program were surveyed by Morning Consult. The survey revealed that 76% were anxious about the proposal of reducing the amount of WIC milk and dairy. On the other hand, 20% stated that they would not bother re-enrolling in the program if the proposal were to pass. Lastly, one-third stated that they are still not certain if they would continue participating in the WIC program.

READ ALSO: Empowering Low-Income Families: The WIC Program Provides Nutritional Support