Section II describes how the proposed changes will benefit New York, potentially increasing participation while decreasing food insecurity.

Section I of this comment explains how the proposed changes are consistent with federal policy. Increasing the CVB, expanding the number of culturally-relevant food options, and increasing the variety of product sizes available for purchase should improve WIC program participation and, in turn, improve nutrition security for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. Federal law requires USDA to review the contents of WIC packages every 10 years and update the options to reflect nutrition science, public health concerns, and cultural eating patterns. We support the adoption of the proposed rule, specifically the proposals to increase the Cash-Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables and to expand choice within the women, infants, and children food packages. Our work has provided us with in-depth knowledge of how food insecurity has widespread negative ramifications on the health of individuals and their families, as well as the ways the proposed rule could improve the lives of women, infants, and children in New York. Maximizing participation in nutrition benefits programs is a core strategy of this program.

Our Healthy Food, Healthy Lives program seeks to advance policies and programs that connect New Yorkers with the food they need to thrive. NYHealth is a private foundation that works to improve the health of all New Yorkers, especially people of color and others who have been historically marginalized. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) proposed rule regarding revisions to the women, infants, and children food packages for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) appreciates the opportunity to comment on the U.S. Re: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children: Revisions to the Women, Infants, and Children Food Packages Department of Agricultureġ320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 WIC Administration, Benefits, and Certification Branch, Policy Divisionįood and Nutrition Service, U.S. These changes would increase the benefits for fruits and vegetables and provide WIC State agencies with greater flexibility to prescribe and tailor food packages that better meet participants’ diverse needs and preferences. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service request for public comments on proposed changes to WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children).

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