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North Carolina -- October 25, 2022: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits are being used by more North Carolina families with young children as a result of increased food prices to buy wholesome, nutritious meals.
Family budgets are being strained by rising food prices. According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery costs increased 13% nationwide over the previous year. About 10% of North Carolina households, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, have a limited ability to acquire enough food due to a lack of money or other resources.
WIC is a federal program that offers low-income pregnant and postpartum women and children up to age 5 nutritional meals, breastfeeding support, health care referrals, and nutrition education. In collaboration with local health departments, health districts, and federally qualified health centers in North Carolina, the state's department of health and human services manages WIC.
According to a recent analysis by the Food Research & Action Center, North Carolina experienced the largest increase in WIC participation throughout the nation during the epidemic. The WIC participation rate in North Carolina increased by 21% between February 2020 and February 2022, according to FRAC. Children, who make about half of WIC participants, increased their involvement by over 36%.
According to Dr. Charlene Wong, Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, "ensuring North Carolina families have access to healthy and nutritious food is at the center of the department's priority to strengthen the well-being of children and families, and our work to make WIC benefits available to more families is a major step in that direction."
The rise in enrollment and involvement can be attributed in part to the increased perks and program flexibility implemented during the pandemic. For instance, from June 2021, families and kids enrolled in WIC have gotten bigger rewards to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. In order to lower the chance of exposure to COVID-19, families have also been given the option to sign up for and reapply for WIC without visiting a WIC clinic. WIC clients can now attend appointments off-site and collect their monthly food benefits through phone and video chat.
"North Carolina took advantage of federal flexibilities to streamline how families could access WIC during the pandemic," said Mary Anne Burghardt, State WIC Director. "Local WIC agencies have done great work in supporting families in their communities during challenging times."
In the coming months, the federal government will make decisions about keeping WIC flexibilities in place for the long-term.
Families can learn more about WIC eligibility and benefits at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/ncwic and submit an online form to begin the application process.
WNCTIMES by Marjorie Farrington
