FNS has determined WIC state agencies may need the flexibility of providing non-contract formula through the end of February. It is USDA’s expectation that these extensions of flexibilities for non-contract formulas will be the final extensions, barring a significant change in the status of formula supply and availability.
Letter to WIC state agencies on unwinding and impacts of infant formula shortage.
In FY 2022, FNS awarded $23,100,000.00 in grants to 66 WIC state agencies to support planning and implementation of projects to improve the WIC participant experience. State agencies each received $350,000.00 in funding to work on multiple types of projects.
FNS awarded grants to WIC state agencies to tackle the WIC shopping experience from every angle—from improving in store signage and cashier training, to working toward online shopping.
WIC is a powerful public health program, proven to help moms, babies, and young children thrive. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is recommending science-based updates to the food provided to WIC participants to best meet their nutritional needs and foster healthy growth and development.
This rulemaking proposes to revise regulations governing the WIC food packages to align them with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and reflect recommendations made by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine in its 2017 report, “Review of WIC Food Packages: Improving Balance and Choice. while promoting nutrition security and taking into account program administration considerations.
This letter extends the expiration date for certain flexibilities for WIC state agencies following the Abbott Recall and infant formula shortage.
On Nov. 1, 2022, FNS held a celebration and briefing of the ARPA funded WIC and FMNP outreach, innovation and modernization efforts.
FNS encourages WIC state agencies to work collaboratively with the vendor community to identify how state agency vendor selection and/or limiting criteria, application periods or policies, WIC authorized food lists, technology requirements, and participant access criteria may impact vendor participation in the WIC program.
USDA is strengthening and modernizing WIC to connect more eligible families with benefits and provide them the best experience throughout their time in the program.