Baltimore, MD (October 1, 2009) – Today the Maryland Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program will join other states in enhancing the food choices offered to its 150,000 participants, according to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH).  New foods have been added and some foods previously allowed have changed in type or amount. The enhancements to the new WIC food package parallel the advice of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and reinforce messages to eat more vegetables, fruit, and whole grains and less fat and calories, resulting in a better nutrient to calorie ratio.

“We are excited about the enhanced options for mothers and children who depend on foods provided through the WIC program,” says Frances Phillips, DHMH Deputy Secretary for Public Health. “Access to nutritious foods is essential for good health.  The improved WIC food packages will enable Maryland’s most vulnerable mothers and children to establish good habits early on, leading to better health over a lifetime.”

Among the newly added foods are fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables and fruit and 100% whole wheat bread, brown rice, and whole wheat and soft corn tortillas.  Such new foods  add more vitamins and fiber.  Adjusting types or amounts of previously allowed foods reduces the saturated fat and cholesterol contents.  For example, only one percent or fat free milk is allowed for women and children age two and older. 

Following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines.htm can help lower risk for chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.  At a time when obesity has reached epidemic proportions and threatens the health and well-being of Americans, the new WIC food package helps address this public health problem.

The WIC food package changes also benefit infants.  Greater emphasis is placed on breastfeeding, especially exclusive breastfeeding during the first year of life.  In addition to the breastfeeding support and education already provided, exclusively breastfeeding mothers and infants will receive a food package that has the highest market value and greatest variety of all the WIC food packages.  Starting at six months of age, all infants will receive baby food vegetables and fruit.  Exclusively breastfed infants will also receive baby food meats.

WIC is a nationwide program that was established in 1974 to assist nutritionally at-risk, low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to the age of 5 in achieving better health.  WIC provides participants with supplemental foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals to health care and other services. For more information about the Maryland WIC Program, visit their website at www.mdwic.org, or, in Maryland call 1-800-242-4WIC.