(WFIE/WKYT) – Big changes are coming to Kentucky’s WIC program.
New food packages are being rolled out this month, and health officials say many families will benefit from more flexibility in food choices they didn’t have before.
“You’re not going to lose benefits at the end of the day. These changes are meant to help improve the products that families are able to purchase. So that’s the ultimate goal,” Ethan Martin, Health Educator at the Green River District Health Department, said.
The changes to the food packages will give more flexibility to what you can buy at the store, like more sizes of whole grains, and infant fruits and vegetables.
The packages will also include new items, like canned fish, more whole grain options, and more cereal choices.
“The ultimate goal with all of these changes is to allow for more flexibility for participants. We know families are different. So what works for one family may not work for another,” Martin said.
Some items, like certain yogurts and cereals, will be removed because they do not meet new nutrition guidelines.
“The WIC program is amazing, and many families benefit. But there’s always room for improvement, right? So that’s kind of the goal with these changes is there’s that improvement as well to allow for that flexibility,” Martin said.
There are also some changes to the amount of food you get in your package. Juice has been decreased to 64 ounces and some packages now have one less pound of cheese, for example.
New food package options like substituting $3 of Cash Value Benefit for the 64 ounces of juice, or receiving two quarts of yogurt in place of milk, are also available.
These changes are being made to make sure WIC isn’t one size fits all.
“Every family operates differently. You know, you have to factor in allergies, you have to factor in food sensitivities, things like that. So all of these changes are going to help factor all of that in,” Martin said.
Make sure to check the WIC Shopper app before you head to the store to review the new approved food list.
“The WIC program is great, and it’s not going anywhere. These changes are meant to improve families’ lives. And to really make sure they’re able to meet their needs,” Martin said.
It’s also important to keep in mind that while the new packages will have more flexibility, not all sizes will add up to your full benefit.
Leftover benefits do not carry over to the next month.