For decades, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has provided food and critical resources to millions of families in need. During the pandemic and throughout recovery, WIC has been and will continue to be an essential tool for ensuring children across the country have enough nutritious food and the opportunity for a healthy start in life.
This brief provides important background on the WIC program: its purpose, who it serves, and how it works. It also offers recommendations for policymakers on how to strengthen the program, including prioritizing specific changes to WIC in response to the pandemic and related economic crisis.
