Every day, thousands of young children and pregnant and postpartum women turn to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) for access to nutritious foods during a critical stage of their lives. Amid increased participation in WIC, a potential $1 billion funding gap for the program could leave an estimated 2 million women, infants, and children at risk of losing access to the nourishment they need to thrive. While a short-term funding bill has been approved, Congress now has until early March to make a decision. Danone North America is taking action to help protect this vital program.
In late 2023, Danone joined USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and likeminded organizations with a long history of WIC support to determine how we can collectively protect this critical American institution. Together with these companies and associations, we have signed a letter urging Congress to ensure WIC has the needed funds to support all eligible women, infants, and children. You can read the full text of the letter here.
As a company on a mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible, Danone recognizes the power WIC has to help realize this ambition. We believe that nutrition should be available, accessible, and equitable, and know WIC is core to this. Danone has been on the frontlines advocating for the expansion and modernization of WIC and working to ensure its protection and increase access for more than a decade. WIC is central to the way we innovate our products and make strategic business decisions so we can ensure our health-driven yogurts, plant-based beverages, and baby foods are accessible to all.
For more than 25 years, the funding of WIC has received bipartisan support for enabling healthier outcomes for mothers and young children, while also reducing short- and long-term healthcare costs and promoting local economies. Since WIC’s authorization in 1974, it has served millions of Americans by strengthening food security and improving diets; studies have shown that WIC participation also contributes to healthier births and higher academic achievement for students1.
You can play a role, too. We need support to help ensure millions of women, infants, and children do not lose access to nutrient-dense food. Send a letter to your U.S. Representative and Senator(s) with one click through the Food Research & Action Center, here.
WIC safeguards critical programs for families across the country so they can thrive. If you would like to learn more about the real people who benefit from WIC and will be affected by this decision, visit Danone’s LinkedIn page, where we’re sharing their stories.
