The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recently submitted comments to the United States Department of Agriculture in response to its request for information on the proposed rule, "Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children: Revisions in the WIC Food Packages."
The Academy supports the efforts to promote balance and to prioritize dignity with individual choice within the WIC food package. As quoted in the comments: "By providing at least 50% of priority nutrients, WIC is a critical intervention to improve health outcomes of babies, young children, and both pregnant and postpartum women. WIC reduces health disparities experienced by people who are part of low socioeconomic status communities, shapes food environments across the nation, improves nutrition security, and achieves nutrition policy goals. Research shows that the WIC program significantly improves food security and diet quality for participants."
The Academy's comments highlighted how the changes proposed will empower WIC participants to meet identified nutrition needs with foods that fit their cultural and personal preferences, while meeting nutrient needs. The Academy believes that increased investment in mothers and children is worthwhile and necessary, and that the revisions protect the most vulnerable infants and children in our nation will allow them to thrive.
Read the Academy's comments here.
Academy members interested in engaging in further nutrition security efforts are encouraged to join the monthly Nutrition Security Affinity Group meetings.
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