Healthy Eating Research supported this special issue of Nutrients focused on examining the influence of WIC nutrition policies on the nutritional status, dietary behavior, and health outcomes of participants. There are a number of policies embedded within the WIC program that can influence the nutritional status of the participants. These include nutrition policies related to breastfeeding promotion, nutrition education programming, nutrition education delivery, the nutritional value of the approved food items, and food store authorization. Modified policies were put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it difficult for WIC participants to access services. The papers in this special issue examine such topics as program participants, online ordering, benefit redemption, and breastfeeding outcomes.
Keywords: COVID-19, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Focus Areas: Early Childhood, Nutrition Policy & Programs
Age Groups: Pregnant women, infants and toddlers (ages 0 to 2), Preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5)
Resource Type: Special Journal Issue
Related Research
October 2026
Cross-Sectional Evaluation of WIC Participation Status and Massachusetts Children’s Nutrition after the Cash-Value Benefit Increase
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) increased the Cash-Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables in 2021. Although WIC participants reported increased purchasing, consumption, and variety of fruits and vegetables after the CVB increase, it is unknown whether this resulted in higher fruit and vegetable intake relative to nonparticipants. The MoreOctober 2026
An Electronic Health Record-Based Intervention to Facilitate Primary Care Referrals to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children: Retrospective Cohort Study
This study evaluated responses to an electronic health record (EHR)-embedded federal nutrition program (FNP) participation screening and WIC referral tool implemented within 8 clinics during well-child visits for children younger than 5 years of age. Structured EHR data from July 2020 to October 2023 were extracted to summarize screening, referral acceptance, WIC enrollment outcomes, and MoreSeptember 2026