WIC May Cut Milk Provided by 25%. Here's What You Need to Know

Proposals to cut the amount of milk provided by WIC have sparked outrage.

Proposals to cut the amount of milk provided by WIC -- the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children -- have sparked outrage. The milk cuts are part of a wider USDA review of the food the program offers.

WIC is a federal program that provides food assistance for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, infants, and children under 5. It's aimed at low-income families who are at nutritional risk, and runs in tandem with other food programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

On the plus side, the changes would also mean more money for fruit and vegetables, as well as more flexibility for people with special dietary needs. However, there'd also be a reduction in the amount of juice and milk provided. Given that the National Institutes of Health says many Americans don't get enough calcium, it's the milk aspect that's attracting the most criticism.

Why the USDA wants to cut milk provisions

The first few years of a child's life can be expensive, and WIC can ease a little of the financial pressure on parents. One of the many costs is making sure both mums and infants get the nutrients they need. The CDC says milk is a good source of vitamins and minerals like vitamin D and calcium.

The USDA has stressed that WIC is a supplemental program. That means it's not intended to provide a full diet, but instead to add nutritious food to people's existing meals. It says that its current packages provide as much as 128% of the recommended amount of dairy. According to its website, proposed changes would take this figure down to between 71% and 96% of the recommended amount.

The International Dairy Foods Association published a Morning Consult survey that showed over three quarters of WIC recipients were "very" or "somewhat" concerned about the reduction in milk. Over a third said they'd need to use non-WIC funds to buy milk and dairy products if the changes go through.

Worries about the plan prompted 28 members of Congress to write a joint letter to the United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, urging him to reconsider. "We are greatly concerned that reducing dairy in WIC food packages will negatively impact the nutritional intakes and health of program participants, as it will decrease their access to dairy's nutrients at life stages key for health and development."

How it will impact your WIC benefits

It's important to stress that these proposals haven't yet been incorporated into the program. The USDA gave people until February to comment on the changes, and it isn't yet clear what will happen next. It may well be that pressure from lawmakers and the dairy industry will cause it to drop the dairy cuts.

Even if it doesn't, it's worth noting that there are some positive aspects of the new WIC food packages. Most importantly, WIC would continue to provide extra cash for produce. Part of the extra pandemic benefits saw people's monthly fruit and vegetable allowance increase from $9 to $11 per month to $35 per month for children, $44 for pregnant and postpartum women, and $49 for women who are breastfeeding. The new scheme would not only make those changes permanent, but also build in annual inflation adjustments.

If you have food allergies or other special dietary needs, the new packages will have more flexibility. For example, someone who is vegan or dairy intolerant could substitute soy products. There are also more whole grain and canned fish options, all of which could help modernize the WIC-approved food list and widen the program's appeal.

It's worth noting that there are millions of people who are eligible for WIC and don't participate. One of the reasons for updating the program is to try to change this and reach more people. It's worth noting that while SNAP recipients automatically meet the income requirements for WIC, people who don't qualify for SNAP might still be eligible. The income threshold is slightly more relaxed and there's no limit on the amount of assets you can hold in a savings account and still qualify.

Bottom line

The Morning Consult survey showed some people were considering dropping out of the program entirely because of the cut in milk. Before you do that, consider the benefits you do get and how much they ease the pressure on your bank account. Even if you wind up getting less milk than you currently do, you'd still be getting more than if you don't participate at all.