Help strengthen WIC: Advocate for more funding in federal budget
August 24, 2023
The Blueprint’s Federal Policy Committee recently voted to focus on finding champions in Congress to support and advocate for sufficient funding of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in the U.S. federal budget. This includes partnering with the National WIC Association, Hunger Free Colorado, and others to connect with Colorado’s Members of Congress.
Each year, Congress sets the funding levels for WIC. The program provides food assistance and other benefits during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as for children under the age of 5 – some of the most important years for brain development and healthy growth. Access to healthy, nutrient-dense food is an essential building block for young children to grow and thrive.
Earlier this year, President Biden signaled $6.3 billion for WIC in his 2024 fiscal year budget, and now it’s up to the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to negotiate and pass the budget with WIC funding included. The House unveiled its 2024 Agriculture Appropriations bill, which includes significantly less funding for WIC – $800 million less – than the President’s proposal. Most notably, the cuts would drastically reduce fruit and vegetable benefits by nearly 62%.
WIC continues to see increased participation. In Colorado alone, more than 133,000 used WIC benefits last year to support their family’s health and well-being.
New data show that WIC needs a significant increase in funding – at least $7.2 billion in total this coming fiscal year – to support increased participation and provide full benefits to those enrolled across the nation. If states do not receive sufficient funding, they must consider reducing enrollment, which means turning away eligible families. Read more from the Center on Budget Policy & Priorities.
The proposed budgets and potential enrollment cuts are deeply concerning to the Blueprint and many in its network of partners. The program needs to be adequately funded and accessible to all eligible families, especially given rising food costs and increased need in our communities.
Take action to help strengthen WIC! Contact your Members of Congress through Hunger Free Colorado’s or the National WIC Association’s efforts
Reach out to Greta Allen, the Blueprint’s Policy Manager, if you want to get more involved in the Federal Policy Committee’s efforts.