FNS Documents & Resources

The Food Plans represent a nutritious diet at four different cost levels. The nutritional bases of the Food Plans are the 1997-2005 Dietary Reference Intakes, 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and 2005 MyPyramid food intake recommendations. In addition to cost, differences among plans are in specific foods and quantities of foods. Another basis of the Food Plans is that all meals and snacks are prepared at home. For specific foods and quantities of foods in the Food Plans, see Thrifty Food Plan, 2006 (2007) and The Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans, 2007 (2007). All four Food Plans are based on 2001-02 data and updated to current dollars by using the Consumer Price Index for specific food items.

This policy memorandum provides clarification regarding the allowable costs of physical activity promotion for participants as a component of WIC Program nutrition education.

This week USDA kicked‐off the first‐ever National Summer Food Service Program Week: Food That’s In When School Is Out. Please join us in our efforts to promote USDA’s Summer Food Service Program and other initiatives across the country to help feed more children this summer.   

This policy memorandum updates our response to an issue regarding incentive items that was addressed in Final WIC Policy Memorandum #2002-1, includes answers to other questions that have been raised since the issuance of that policy memorandum, and incorporates the original and new questions and answers in a new format.

Over the past few months, we have learned that some local offices suggest that clients withdraw their applications. The suggestion or recommendation that a client withdraw impinges on the voluntary character of a withdrawal.

This policy memorandum provides clarification regarding the use of WIC program funds and resources to support bioterrorism preparedness.

This memorandum addresses questions have been raised by WIC state agencies regarding the eligibility determinations for individuals from military families which include military service personnel serving overseas or assigned to a military base and temporarily absent from the home. 

The Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans, three fundamental parts of the U.S. food guidance system, are now revised. The plans provide representative healthful market baskets at three different cost levels. This revision of the plans incorporates recent developments in nutrition standards and dietary guidance as well as updates reflective of food consumption and nutrient content of foods. This revision also maintains a constant real cost for each plan.