WIC Program Faces Funding Crisis Amid Rising Child Hunger

Congress must act by January 19 to prevent the potential loss of vital nutrition assistance for millions of children.

According to a new report by the United States Department of Agriculture, the number of children who live in food-insecure households jumped by nearly half last year. There are now 13 million children–that’s one in five American children–who may go to bed hungry tonight.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is at risk of losing its funding by Jan. 19, which could exacerbate the issue of child hunger in the U.S.
WIC has provided hundreds of millions of low-income moms, babies, and children with life-giving nutritious food, including eggs, bread, cheese, cereal, and infant formula. WIC also provides nutrition counseling, breastfeeding education, and a cash benefit to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.
The USDA has found that WIC has driven a 16% reduction in infant mortality rates–not to mention fewer incidents of low birth weight, better brain development, and higher test scores.
Fully funding WIC is estimated to cost $7.5 billion in fiscal year 2024. So far, lawmakers haven’t come close. Some are even proposing to cut fruit and vegetable benefits.