US Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs
1st Type of Nutritional Risk
-Abnormal nutritional conditions detectable by biological or anthropometric measurements (anemia, underweight, overweight)
WIC Participant Eligibility: Nutritional Risk
-As determined by health professional -Ht/wt/blood test for anemia administered to all >9 months
Nutrition Education
-Available to everyone -At least 2 nutrition education sessions during each 6 month period is required -All pregnant women are encouraged to BF
WIC & Breastfeeding
-BF women get special counseling, educational material, follow-up support through initiation and continuation of breastfeeding
SNAP Allotments
-Based on Thrifty Food Plan -Average household size: 2.2 -Average monthly benefits/person: $125
School Breakfast & Lunch
-Child and Adult Care food Program -Summer Food Service Program -Afterschool Snack & Meal Program
Emergency Food Assistance Program
-Commodity Supplemental Food Program -Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
4th Type of Nutritional Risk
-Conditions that directly affect the nutritional health of a person (alcoholism, drug abuse)
5th Type of Nutritional Risk
-Conditions that predispose a person to inadequate nutritional patterns or nutritionally related medical conditions (migrancy, homelessness)
3rd Type of Nutritional Risk
-Dietary deficiencies (inadequate dietary patterns)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
-Entitlement program -Provides electronic monthly benefits -Administration at state level
WIC Food Packages
-Foods included are high in nutrients -Designed to address nutritional needs of specific populations
National School Breakfast and Lunch Eligibility
-Free meals for household income <130% FPL -Reduced rice meals for household income <185% FPL -Students in households receiving SNAP, Medicaid, or foster parent households are automatically eligible for free meal participation (direct certification)
WIC Program Delivery
-Highest priority for pregnant & breastfeeding women & infants at nutrition-related medical conditions -Lower priority for older children (4-5) & non-bf, postpartum women, infants, children -Supplemental food packages -Nutrition education -Health care & social services referrals (Medicaid, immunizations, SNAP, etc.)
SNAP Eligibility
-Household gross income <130% FPL -Household net income <100% FPL -Can have up to $2000 in countable resources, $3000 for disabled/seniors -Able bodied adults (16-60) must register for work, go to employment/training programs, accept/continue "suitable employment"
WIC Participant Eligibility: Income
-Household income <185% FPL -May use current income or past 12 months -SNAP, Medicaid, TANF participants are automatically deemed eligible
Basic Required WIC Foods
-Milk, cheese, fruit juice, cereal, beans, peanut butter, iron-fortified infant formula, tuna, whole grain bread, iron-fortified cereal -Fruit/veggie vouchers ($10/mo for women, $6/mo for children)
WIC Participant Eligibility: Residential
-Must reside in state where eligibility is established
2nd Type of Nutritional Risk
-Nutritionally related medical condition (metabolic disorders, nutrient deficiency dx)
NSBP and NSLP Participation
-Participation in the lunch program has fallen in recent years while participation in the breakfast program continues to rise -Free and reduced-price meals accounted for over two-thirds of all school meals served in FY 2014
WIC Participant Eligibility: Categorical
-Pregnant -Non-bf woman up to 6mo postpartum -Infant up to 1st birthday -Child up to 5th birthday
Child Nutrition Assistance Programs
-Provide support for children to eat to learn and learn to eat with nutritious school meals -Provide nutrition assistance for day care, after school, and summer programs
WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
-Provides up to $10-$30 in vouchers per family for fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs at authorized farmers' markets and roadside stands
Core USDA Food Assistance Programs
-SNAP -WIC -National School Lunch Program -Child & Adult Care Food Program
Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act
-School Breakfast & Lunch -Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WIC -Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program
Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program
-Special Milk Program
Farm Bill
-Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -Emergency Food Assistance Program -Senior Farmers Market Program
WIC Mission
-To safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children through age 4 who are at nutritional risk -Provides nutritious foods to supplement diets, nutrition education, and referrals to health care and other social services
Senior Farmers Market Program
-USDA Snack Program
WIC Overview
-USDA's third largest food and nutrition assistance program -100% federally funded -Discretionary program (NOT and entitlement)
SNAP Benefits
-Used to purchase all foods intended to be eaten at home -Not allowed: alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, foods hot at point of sale, non-food item, vitamins or medicines, pet foods
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WIC
-WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program
WIC & Diet Quality
-WIC kids have more fruit/juice, more milk, less sweetened drinks, lower percent of calories from SoFAs, more eggs and dry beans, less peanut butter (more nutrient-rich overall than low-income nonparticipants)
Compared to high income children, WIC kids' diets were lower in...
-Whole grains -Fruit/juice -Yogurt -Sweets -Added fats/oils -Reduced-fat milk -HIGHER in whole milk and soft drinks
SNAP participants are more likely to consume...
-cornbread or corn tortillas, potatoes, whole milk, regular soda, foods suggested for occasional consumption
SNAP participants are less likely to consume...
-whole grains -raw veggies -reduced-fat milk -sugar-free soda -foods suggested for occasional consumption
Nutrition Standards for School Meals Programs
SEE NOTES