Oral

The Institute of Medicine's 2006 report "WIC Food Packages: Time for a Change”, included recommendations allowing WIC participants to purchase foods that represented the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Dietary Reference Intakes. In the new food package participants can purchase whole grains, low fat milk, low saturated fat foods, fruits and vegetables. The changes also include enhanced food packages and more support for breastfeeding mothers in order to encourage breastfeeding. Session presenters will reveal findings from recent studies on the impact of these changes across the country and in urban and rural settings. The effects of these changes on the inventory of smaller grocery stores and on the availability of the new food package items in the community at large will be discussed. Presenters will also relay findings of significant behavior changes of WIC participants as a direct result of the change in food packaging based on variables such as the primary language of the WIC participant and educational interventions. Change in the rate of WIC participants who are breastfeeding will also be addressed.

Session Objectives: 1) Describe changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) food package 2) Discuss ways changes in the WIC food packages might affect the behavior of WIC participants 3) Identify examples of how changes may affect some grocery stores including the availability of these food items to WIC participants and to the entire community

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)