PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is updating its food package today for participants to enhance nutrition and expand choice for families statewide.
The updated WIC food package reflects the latest nutrition science and aligns with healthy dietary patterns recognized around the world. This marks the third update to WIC foods in the program’s 50-year history of promoting family and child health.
The last update to the WIC foods was in 2009 and introduced improvements such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The new update builds on that progress by expanding access to healthy foods for families across Oregon.
“The changes bring increased flexibility, variety and choice, allowing families to honor cultural traditions, enjoy shared meals and have healthy and whole food options,” said Tiare Sanna M.S., RDN, Oregon WIC director. “There are even better supports now for special dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegan and allergen-free options.”
- Hear Perla Castillo, RD, nutrition consultant at Oregon WIC, discuss the updated food list in videos available in English and Spanish.
Enhancements to the WIC Food Package include:
- More fruits and vegetables, expanded to include fresh-cut herbs.
- A wider variety of protein and plant-based options, including fish options for all kids and adults; more cheese varieties, including sliced, string and shredded; new yogurt brands with reduced added sugar; new plant-based milks; and new nut and seed butters.
- Expanded whole-grain bread choices such as 100% whole wheat buns, bagels, pita and naan. Plus, new gluten-free, whole-grain bread options. WIC now offers a dozen whole grains including quinoa, teff, corn masa flour, and barley to name a few.
See the WIC food package changes website for more details.
In response to WIC’s nutrition standards, food manufacturers have improved the nutritional content of products available to all consumers.
Sanna explained that when WIC increases choices and options for WIC participants, it improves choices and access for the whole community.
“When grocery stores improve access to more nutritious food options for WIC participants, it has a positive ripple effect on the entire community,” Sanna said. “For the stores, that means more customers.”
Sanna added that WIC conducts a price and availability survey throughout Oregon to ensure participants in every community across the state have similar access to food.
Starting today, July 1, Oregon WIC participants can shop for foods on the updated list using their benefit card at any of the 426 WIC-authorized grocery stores across Oregon.
About WIC
The Oregon WIC Program improves nutrition security for families by providing healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and connections to community resources for pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding individuals, infants, and children up to age 5. WIC serves families in all 36 Oregon counties through more than 100 clinics
