This memorandum provides Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) agencies information on program oversight and expectations for the 2026 plans for operations and management (POM) and program implementation.
On Nov. 12, 2025, President Trump signed the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 into law. Section 787 of the Act directs USDA to update the maximum monthly allowance of fluid milk for certain food packages provided in the WIC program.
We are committed to supporting WIC state agency efforts to combat vendor fraud, waste and abuse. State agencies should make every effort to increase oversight of WIC vendors through the strategies outlined in this memo.
This is a new information collection for the Waivers and State Plans (WiSP) application.
This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection for state administrative expense funds expended in the operation of the child nutrition programs administered under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.
We are issuing this memorandum to provide CSFP state agencies, including ITOs, with guidance on implementing 7 CFR § 247.14(a), which requires local agencies, as appropriate, to make referrals and provide CSFP applicants with written information on specific public assistance programs.
Attachment B can help answer additional questions about flexibilities available to state agencies when implementing the revised WIC food packages.
State agencies are responsible for identifying the brands, types, and forms of WIC-eligible foods, including substitution options, to authorize for their state food list and must include more than one product for most WIC food categories. While state agencies have flexibility and options when making these determinations, they are required to authorize certain substitution types and forms to ensure WIC families are receiving a package of healthy foods.
This memo clarifies state agency flexibility to implement changes to the WIC food packages in ways that support the Trump Administration’s commitment, under the leadership of USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, to encourage healthy choices, healthy outcomes, and healthy families through the federal nutrition programs.
In alignment with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ priorities to encourage healthy choices, healthy outcomes, and healthy families and connect America’s farmers to nutrition assistance programs, we are revising the CSFP Maximum Monthly Distribution Rates to reflect the foods currently available in the program.