Here's how the WIC food packages are changing.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children – also known as WIC – supports maternal and child health by providing nutritious supplemental foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to important health care and other social services.
Healthy Eating Index scores range from 0 to 100 and are a measure of diet quality used to assess how well a set of foods aligns with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. A higher score is ideal. The FDPIR Food Package scores an 84. This is higher than the average U.S. diet, which scores a 59.
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.
This trio of infographics shares key data points about FDPIR. Learn how many households include children or elderly members, how the FDPIR food package compares to the average American diet, how nutrition education is changing the ways program participants cook and eat, and more!
WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2 Infographic
Of the FDPIR households served, 48% had only 1 member, while 20% had 2 members, 13% had 3 members, and nearly 10% had 4 members. The remaining 9% of households had 5 or more members.
Each month, participating households receive a food package to help them maintain a nutritionally balanced diet.
Nutrition education topics are culturally relevant and geared towards the specific needs and interests of FDPIR participants.
USDA distributes USDA Foods to food banks, soup kitchens, disaster feeding organizations, Indian Tribal Organizations, charitable institutions and other feeding organizations, helping families stretch their food budgets and ensuring that all Americans have healthy foods within reach.