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The Women, Infants and Children Program
(WIC) provides health services and tailored food packages to lower-income
pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children who
are deemed to be nutritionally at-risk. It has proven itself to be a
great investment: For every dollar invested in the WIC program, an
estimated $3 is saved in future medical expenses. WIC has helped to
prevent low birth weight babies and associated risks such as
developmental disabilities, birth defects, and other complications.
Participation in the WIC program has also been linked to reductions in
infant mortality.
Another important part of the WIC Program
is the WIC farmers' market nutrition program. This program
provides vouchers of $30 to more than 2 million WIC recipients
that are used to buy fresh produce at thousands of local farmers'
markets around the country.
To find out if you are eligible for WIC
benefits, visit the
Vermont
WIC Website.
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What's New: Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization
On June 25th, the Senate passed a reauthorization of the Child
Nutrition and WIC programs by unanimous consent and was signed into
law by the President on June 30th. This reauthorization will
help expand and stabilize both the WIC and the WIC Farmers’ Market
Nutrition Programs. Years ago, I helped create the Farmers' Market
Nutrition Program (FMNP), which provides vouchers to WIC families good
for fruits and vegetables at their local farmers market. The effects
of this program have been stunning and I am very pleased that under
this bill the WIC FMNP voucher has been increased from $20 to $30 and
that we have reduced the cost to States of administering the program.
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Statements and Releases About WIC
- Congress Renews Child Nutrition Programs June 25, 2004
Statement
- Of Senator Patrick Leahy on WIC for Military Families June 15,
2000
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Links to Other WIC Program Sites
WIC Farmers'
Market Nutrition Programs
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