Delaware to implement changes to WIC program

Yesterday, Delaware became one of two states (New York is the other) to implement new guidelines for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. All states must adopt the new guidelines by October 1, 2009.

Under the new guidelines, eligible participants will be able to purchase foods such as reduced fat and soy milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole wheat bread, which they were not previously able to purchase. These changes mark the first changes to the program in 35 years, and come at no additional cost to taxpayers.

These changes come after years of concern regarding this population, who are nutritionally at-risk. In fact, in 2003, concerned by rising obesity rates and WIC participants' poor diet quality, the U.S. Department of Agriculture commissioned the Institute of Medicine (which advises the government on medical matters) to suggest changes to the existing food packages. The institute's report, released in 2005, recommended sweeping changes in the food program. They were approved by the USDA in December 2007.

These new choices will be more in line with the messages taught in the WIC nutrition education classes, which are also available online at www.wichealth.org

This early implementation puts Delaware at the forefront of healthy nutrition for many of those most at-risk, and takes great steps towards combating childhood obesity.