Women's Health Wednesday: Nutritional resources for moms

Making sure women, infants, and children have access to good nutrition is at the core of the WIC program. The national average for participation across the country, is about 52%.

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) - Making sure women, infants, and children have access to good nutrition is at the core of the WIC program. The national average for participation across the country, is about 52%.

It was created 50 years ago to address a growing need of mothers and children facing nutritional deficiencies. In addition to food and formula, WIC also provides education and support for breastfeeding.

Participation in the program increased steadily for decades but started declining in 2011.

In New York, the participation level is above the national average at 53% with more than 400,000 participants. 42% of infants born in the state are enrolled in this program, and from 2010-2020 there was a 10% increase in breastfeeding initiation rates among women.

In March, Congress increased funding for the program by more than $1 billion. The bill also maintains the increased Cash Value Benefit that provides more money for to purchase fruits and vegetables.

For places like Nevada, who are below the national average of involvement, more is being done to get families to take advantage of the program. 

To find out if you qualify, there is a prescreening tool that is used before making an appointment at a WIC local agency.