Fruit and Vegetable Benefit is Increased for WIC Participants
American Rescue Plan Act funds temporary WIC increase
Wisconsin families participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will be able to purchase more fruits and vegetables between June 1 and September 30, 2021, the Department of Health Services announced today. The federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) will fund the temporary increase in monthly WIC benefits to help make healthy food options more available to families facing additional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cash value benefit used by WIC participants to buy vegetables and fruit as part of their WIC food package will increase temporarily to $35 a month for each WIC-eligible woman and child during the four-month period, up from $9 per child and $11 for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women. More than 71,000 Wisconsin women and children will now have increased access to additional fruits and vegetables during the four-month time period.
WIC provides nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, supplemental nutritious foods, and connections to other community services. Wisconsin residents can find out if they are eligible for WIC and apply. You can also follow DHSWI on Facebook(link is external) and Twitter(link is external) and dhs.wi on Instagram(link is external).
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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