Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

History and benefits of the program

• 34 year old program to improve children’s health, growth and development
• Nutritious foods and improved healthcare access for low and moderate income women and children with, or at risk of developing, nutrition related health problems
• Nutrition and breastfeeding education
• Screenings and referrals to other health, welfare and social services
• WIC continues to have bi-partisan support in Congress where it has consistently seen flat or increased Federal funding year over year. WIC has never received a funding cut
• 8.27 million participants as of October 2006
• $5.0374 billion spent on WIC in FY 06 with $3.6055 billion spent on food costs

Products allowed

• Infant formula; infant cereal; adult cereal; fruit & vegetable juice; eggs; milk; cheese; peanut butter; dried beans or peas; tuna fish; carrots

Priority nutrients

• Protein, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin A & Vitamin C

Effects of WIC

• Documented benefits prove that every dollar spent on WIC saves Medicaid a minimum of $3 in treating malnutrition
• WIC serves about 47% of all babies born in the United States

Our nationally authorized Cream Of Wheat items include:

• Original Stove 1 Minute
• 2 ½ Minute
• 10 Minute
• Original Instant