Home >> Resources
Resources
-
What is WIC? An Overview of the Program
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal assistance program in the United States designed to support low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, infants, and young children up to the age of five. Established in 1974, WIC aims to improve the health and nutritional status of its beneficiaries by providing access to healthy foods, nutrition education, and healthcare referrals. History and Purpose of WIC The WIC program was created as a response to growing concerns about malnutrition among low-income mothers and children in the United States. Research in the early 1970s indicated that inadequate nutrition during pregnancy and early childhood led to severe health issues, including low birth weights, developmental delays, and increased infant mortality. To combat these problems, Congress authorized WIC under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, and the program officially began in 1974. The primary goal of WIC is to safeguard the health of eligible