memo
DATE:
March 23, 2016
TO:
WIC Coordinators & CPAs
FROM:
State WIC Office
SUBJECT:
Comment on the WIC Food Package!
Background
USDA tasks the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to review the WIC food package to align it
with current Dietary Guidelines for Americans. In November 2015, the NAS Health & Medicine
Division (HMD), previously known as the Institute of Medicine, released its phase I interim
report presenting the evidence and framework that will be used in developing the final phase II
report recommendations.
HMD is now undertaking its phase II work, which includes:
• Reviewing the nutrition requirements of the WIC population and conducting analyses of
dietary and energy intakes;
•
Conducting analyses of food expenditures of the WIC population; and
•
Reviewing and assessing the impact of cultural food preferences on nutritional needs
and food intake patterns.
What do YOU think? Submit your comments about the WIC Food Package!
As a part of this work, the HMD workgroup is soliciting public comments. We often hear great
ideas and feedback from WIC staff about the food package. Now is the time for you to make
your comments count. Any interested person, including participants and community partners,
may submit comments. It’s quick and easy to do: just go to the NAS website comment page
and let them know what you’re thinking! For example,
•
What do you think about juice in the food package?
•
Do participants request fresh fruits/vegetables for 6-9 month infants?
•
Are participants using infant foods between 9-11 months?
•
What foods should be added to meet cultural needs?
Additionally, the workgroup is conducting a public workshop 'Informing WIC Food Package
Recommendations: State, Vendor and Manufacturer Considerations - A Workshop and Public
Comments Session' on March 31st and a Public Comments Session on April 1st. These may be
viewed via webcast. Registration is required.