DeLauro Applauds Increased Access to Nutritious Foods for Low-Income Mothers and Children

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today applauding the news low-income mothers and children will now have increased access to nutritious foods under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC. The changes announced today will also better equip families to purchase foods that meet their cultural requirements. DeLauro is a former chairwoman of the subcommittee that funds the United States Department of Agriculture, which administers WIC.

“Updating the foods families can purchase with their WIC dollars will help improve the long-term health of the youngest and most vulnerable Americans. And enabling parents to purchase foods that meet their cultural requirements is a welcome change that reflects our country’s diversity.

“WIC is a short-term intervention that can help provide a lifetime of good nutrition and health behaviors for at-risk women and children. It has a proven record of healthier pregnancies and birth outcomes, and better growth and development of young children. We should be increasing our investments in WIC, and as Congress embarks on this year’s budget debate, I will fight to ensure we do just that.”

WIC, a 38-year old program, provides federal assistance for the healthcare and nutrition of low-income pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children under the age of five. Over half of the babies born in the United States every year, and nine million mothers every month, in all 50 states, participate in the program.