In welcome news for produce industry advocates following proposed benefits changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture has passed its fiscal year (FY24) funding bill — legislation that fully funds WIC, including the fruit and vegetable benefit amount at the current levels consistent with the National Academy of Science’s recommendations, the International Fresh Produce Association said in a news release applauding the decision.
The legislation follows last month’s House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture’s passage of a funding bill that IFPA said stripped “key nutrition benefits from the WIC program” with “consequences for growers across the country.”
Related: USDA proposes rule change to allow online WIC food purchases
Of the new legislation passed June 22, IFPA’s Vice President of Nutrition and Health Mollie Van Lieu issued the following statement:
“We are grateful to Subcommittee Chair Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ranking Member John Hoeven (R-N.D.) for a bipartisan appropriations bill that ensures the millions of women and children enrolled in WIC continue to receive fruit and vegetable benefits at levels reflective of federal dietary recommendations. Today’s benefit levels have resulted in young children consuming two cups of fruits and vegetables per day. We appreciate the committee’s recognition of this important public health progress.
“The Senate bill stands in stark contrast to the House agricultural appropriations bill that would cut fruit and vegetable benefits by 70% for women and 56% for children,” Van Lieu contined. “IFPA will continue advocating for full funding of the WIC fruit and vegetable benefit throughout the FY24 appropriations process to ensure participants do not see a benefit drop come October 1.”
Related: IFPA gives recommendations to USDA on expanding access to fruits and vegetables in WIC program
Related: Increased fruit and vegetable purchases followed school nutrition reform
