Impact of the Revised Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Food Package Policy on Fruit and Vegetable Prices

AbstractObjective:To use nationally representative data to evaluate changes in nutrient and food intakes among children and women participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) before v. after implementation of the 2009 food package revisions.Design:Cross-sectional study using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. NHANES survey cycles were pooled to assess nutrient/food group intakes among household WIC participants pre- (2005–2008) v. post- (2011–2014) implementation of the 2009 food package revisions.Setting:Information regarding WIC participation and 24 h diet recalls were collected at NHANES examination.Participants:Children 24–59 months old and women 19–50 years of age in households receiving WIC benefits in the NHANES 2005–2008 and 2011–2014.Results:Comparison of WIC participants’ dietary intake pre- and post-revision demonstrated changes in mean population intakes of both nutrients and food groups. The food package revisions were associated with increased intakes of fibre (P = 0·004 children, P = 0·013 women) and whole grains (P = 0·001 children, P = 0·087 women). For children only, vegetable intake shifted to higher consumption of legumes (P = 0·013) and decreased intake of starchy vegetables (P = 0·042). No significant changes were observed for dairy or fruit intake of children or women.Conclusions:The study provides insight to what goals of the package revisions were achieved. The findings can inform future food package revisions.

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Incentivizing fruit and vegetable purchases among participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980014000512 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 33-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Tatiana Andreyeva ◽

Joerg Luedicke

Keyword(s):

New England ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Fresh Fruit ◽

Infants And Children ◽

Substitution Effects ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Supplemental Nutrition ◽

Nutrition Program ◽

Fresh Vegetables ◽

Supplemental Nutrition Program

AbstractObjectiveIn 2009, the US Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) began to provide participants with cash-value vouchers to purchase fruits and vegetables ($US 10 for women and $US 6 for children per month). The present paper assesses the potential effects of the new WIC incentives on fruit and vegetable purchases among WIC households in two New England states.DesignA pre–post assessment of changes in fruit and vegetable purchases after the WIC revisions in generalized estimating equation models.SettingScanner data on grocery purchases from a regional supermarket chain in New England, USA.SubjectsWIC-participating households (n 2137) that regularly shopped at the chain during January–September 2009 and January–September 2010.ResultsAfter the WIC revisions, purchases of fresh and frozen vegetables increased in volume by 17·5 % and 27·8 %, respectively. The biggest improvements were observed for fresh fruit, an increase of 28·6 %, adding almost a kilogram of fresh fruits per household per month. WIC households spent three times more of their WIC vouchers on purchasing fresh fruits than fresh vegetables. The magnitudes of substitution effects were relatively small: between 4 % (fresh fruit) and 13 % (canned vegetables) of the amounts purchased in 2009 with non-WIC funds were replaced by purchases made using WIC vouchers in 2010.ConclusionsThe provision of fruit and vegetable benefits in the revised WIC food packages increased overall purchases of fruits and vegetables among WIC-participating households in New England. Efforts to encourage consumption of fruits and vegetables by people receiving federal food assistance are paying off.

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