The ERS Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program conducts studies and evaluations on the WIC program as well as on other USDA domestic food assistance programs, such as the Food Stamp Program and the child nutrition programs. ERS also conducts research on program outcomes, program operations and integrity, vulnerable populations, the relationship between food assistance programs and the general economy, and domestic food security. More overview…

features
WIC and the Retail Price of Infant Formula—Rebates from infant formula manufacturers to State agencies that administer the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) support over one-quarter of all WIC participants. However, concerns have been raised that WIC and its infant formula rebate program may significantly affect the infant formula prices faced by non-WIC consumers. This report presents findings from the most comprehensive national study of infant formula prices at the retail level. For a given set of wholesale prices, WIC and its infant formula rebate program resulted in modest increases in the supermarket price of infant formula, especially in States with a high percentage of WIC formula-fed infants. However, lower priced infant formulas are available to non-WIC consumers in most areas of the country, and the number of these lower priced alternatives is increasing over time. A two-page Research Brief highlights the report's findings.

Access the ERS WIC Data Linkages Extranet—ERS has established an extranet site to facilitate the sharing of knowledge on State-level linkages of WIC data to vital records, Medicaid, and other program information. The site is designed to identify current and potential benefits, as well as barriers and concerns, of these linkage systems to Federal and State program managers and policymakers. The site highlights the importance of developing data-sharing partnerships. It also aids States that face difficulties in developing data linkages by (1) describing existing State systems that may serve as models, and (2) establishing a forum to facilitate candid discussions, exchange ideas, and share technical advice. Access to the ERS Extranet is by subscription only. To subscribe and obtain your user name and password, please contact Alex Majchrowicz, Project Administrator, at alexm@ers.usda.gov.

The Food Assistance Landscape—This twice-yearly publication provides a brief overview of USDA's domestic food assistance programs. Each issue contains recent program statistics, such as expenditure, participation, and benefit levels, as well as information on related economic and social indicators, such as unemployment rates, income growth, and food price inflation. Issues also discusses recent ERS research related to food assistance.

Innovative WIC Practices: Profiles of 20 Programs—WIC has come under increased scrutiny as it has expanded rapidly, and some have suggested new directions for the program. This study examines a range of innovative practices at 20 State or local WIC agencies. The study focuses on practices in three main areas: breastfeeding promotion and support (including peer counseling and programs for high-risk groups), nutrition and health education (including obesity prevention, preventive health care, and staff training), and service delivery (such as home and workplace visits). For each innovative program, the report provides background information and discusses the source of the innovation, key challenges, implementation lessons learned, evidence of its success, and the feasibility of replicating the practice.

recommended readings
The WIC Program: Background, Trends, and Issues—This report presents comprehensive background information on the WIC program—how it works, its history, program trends, and the characteristics of the population it serves. It also examines issues related to program outcomes and administration. How the WIC community responds to these issues may have a large impact on future program operations.

WIC and the Nutrient Intake of Children—After controlling for self-selection bias, participation in the WIC program significantly improves children's intakes of iron, folate, and vitamin B-6. Iron is one of five nutrients targeted by the program, the others being protein, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Folate and vitamin B-6, along with zinc, were recommended by a 1991 USDA study as nutrients that the program should also target. The data set used, the 1994-96 Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals, reflects the dramatic increase during the 1990's in the number of children in the program.

See all recommended readings…

recent research developments
Assessment of WIC Cost-Containment Practices: Final Report and Executive Summary—WIC provides supplemental foods to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children. These foods contains nutrients determined by nutritional research to be lacking in the diets of WIC participants. State WIC agencies have implemented practices designed to reduce the cost of food packages containing the prescribed foods. The practices include limiting authorized vendors to stores with lower food prices; limiting approved brands, package sizes, or forms; and negotiating rebates with food manufacturers or suppliers. The concern is that these practices may inadvertently counter program goals. Based on a review of cost-containment practices in six States, the study draws three major conclusions: (1) cost-containment practices reduced average food package costs by 0.2 to 21.4 percent, depending on practices implemented and local conditions; (2) the cost-containment practices had few adverse outcomes for WIC participants; and (3) administrative costs of the practices were low, averaging about 1.5 percent of food package savings. In accordance with Congressional legislation authorizing this study, infant formula rebates were not assessed.

recommended data products
National data sets useful in WIC research—Brief descriptions of national surveys and data sets with links to the sponsoring organizations. Surveys and data sets relevant to WIC include: the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII); the Current Population Survey (CPS); Food and Nutrition Service Program Operations Data; the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID); the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP); the Survey of Program Dynamics (SPD); and the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

FANRP Project Database—Provides details on the agency's Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program (FANRP) research projects. See WIC related projects, including the project's objective, funding level, researchers, and expected completion date.

newsletters
Sign Up Now—Keep current on activities in the Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program (FANRP) by subscribing to our free e-mail notification service. You will receive announcements of our latest reports and other news. You can also get the latest on other activities at ERS. To become a subscriber, please submit this short application form. Be sure to check "Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs" under Particular Topic Areas to receive information about FANRP activities.

related links
USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)—FNS administers the WIC program. This link provides access to a variety of information on WIC, including how to apply for the program, eligibility guidelines, program data, laws and regulations, and State agency contact information.

USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP)—This link provides access to a 1999 report conducted by CNPP "Review of the Nutritional Status of WIC Participants."

United States General Accounting Office (GAO)—GAO has conducted numerous studies on WIC. This link allows you to search for GAO's WIC-related reports.

Estimating Eligibility and Participation for the WIC Program: Final Report —This book, prepared by the National Research Council is available on the National Academies Press website. ERS was the funding agency for the project that is the subject of this report.

Dietary Risk Assessment in the WIC Program—This report, prepared by the Institute of Medicine with funding from ERS, is available on the National Academies Press website.

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WIC participation, fiscal 1980-2003—In fiscal 2003, spending for WIC totaled $4.5 billion, or 4 percent more than the previous year. Monthly participation in WIC averaged 7.6 million people, an increase of 2 percent over fiscal 2002. Children (age 1-4 years) comprised 50 percent of all WIC participants, while women accounted for 24 percent and infants younger than 1 year of age, 26 percent.

for more information, contact: Victor Oliveira
web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.gov
page updated: October 19, 2004