The Women, Infants and Children's program, often referred to as WIC, is a supplemental food and nutrition program for pregnant and postpartum people, and children under the age of 5 years old. WIC recipients must meet income requirements and be determined to be at nutrition risk. Service include access to supplemental nutritious foods, education, and counseling, and referrals to other services (Food and Nutrition Service). There is evidence that the WIC program can help to improve maternal and birth outcomes (Food and Nutrition Service). 

Considerations for Equitable Approaches: WIC participants are more likely to identify as Hispanic/Latino, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic multiple races compared to their representation in the U.S. population (Food and Nutrition Service). Nationally, less than half of pregnant people who are eligible for WIC are enrolled in the program (Food and Nutrition Service). Increasing awareness of WIC through outreach is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Equitable Action Plan to increase equitable access to nutrition assistance programs (U.S. Department of Agriculture).