WASHINGTON, DC - Since its inception, the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has advocated for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Now, the association welcomes the USDA's recent updates to the program, which will help ensure access to nutritional products, including fresh produce.

“These updates to WIC will be instrumental in improving nutrition security among some of our nation’s most vulnerable populations,” said IFPA Chief Executive Officer Cathy Burns. “IFPA members across the supply chain look forward to an implementation of the food package that will allow for continued access to nutritious foods, including the full variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available at retail.”

The recent announcement will finalize previously proposed changes, including providing more flexibility to tailor food packages to accommodate personal and cultural food preferences and special dietary needs and making permanent the fruit and vegetable increase participants have been enjoying since 2021, a release explained. The changes align with recommendations from the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025.

In addition to making the latest increase to the Cash Value Benefit (CVB) permanent, IFPA identified four notable additions to the rule:

• It allows participants to substitute their juice allotment for an additional $3 in CVB
• Infants aged 6–11 months can receive CVB instead of half or all of the jarred infant food allotment ($10/month for half and $20/month for the full allotment)
• Allows fresh herbs to be purchased with the CVB
• Allows fresh-cut fruit and vegetable party trays without dressings and dips to be purchased with the CVB
• Codifies that white potatoes are allowed

“IFPA has long advocated for the importance of a science-based approach in WIC, and today’s announcement delivers on that work,” said IFPA Vice President for Nutrition and Health Policy Mollie Van Lieu. “We already know that WIC works at addressing health outcomes, and the final food package will do even more to boost the general healthfulness of the WIC program and benefit the women and children it serves.”

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