Revitalizing WIC - New dietary standards in action

Apr 10, 2024

By Farms.com

Under the Administration, the USDA has unveiled transformative updates to the WIC program, focusing on expanding access to nutritious foods for pregnant women, infants, and children. This initiative reflects a commitment to nutrition security, building on a comprehensive $7 billion funding package for FY 2024.

Enhancements to WIC food packages are vast and varied, including an increase in fruit and vegetable allotments, a wider selection of whole grains, and more flexible dairy options, including plant-based substitutes. These changes are designed to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of WIC participants, promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Additional updates feature the inclusion of canned fish to encourage consumption of underutilized food sources and the provision of both canned and dried beans for added dietary variety. An adjustment in infant formula quantities aim to support breastfeeding mothers, aligning with their individual goals.

These science-based revisions, inspired by public input and the latest dietary guidelines, are set to enrich the WIC program, ensuring it remains responsive to the evolving nutritional needs of American families. The effort to tailor food packages to reflect cultural preferences and dietary requirements underlines the USDA's dedication to health equity and nutritional accessibility.

With a planned two-year rollout, these updates are poised to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of millions of Americans, reinforcing WIC's role in promoting nutrition security and supporting the nation's youth from the earliest stages of life.

Video: Uncover the world of insurance salvage auctions in Canada

What happens to vehicles, farm equipment, machinery and other valuable assets after an insurance claim? They may have more value—and opportunity—than you think.
In this interview, Christine O’Brien, Director of Marketing at Barga, takes us inside the world of insurance salvage auctions and explains how the Saskatoon-based company is making these assets directly accessible to buyers across Canada.
Unlike a traditional auction house, Barga operates primarily online, connecting consumers with a constantly changing selection of insurance salvage sold on an “as is, where is” basis. Buyers can see where an item is located, bid online and, if successful, arrange pickup or shipping.
With new auctions every two weeks, Barga offers much more than farm equipment, with a diverse range of vehicles, machinery, equipment and other unexpected finds coming up for bid.
Christine explains how the auction process works, what buyers should know before bidding, and why insurance salvage can offer some interesting opportunities for Canadians looking for equipment, vehicles or a great deal.
Registration is free, allowing buyers to browse upcoming auctions, watch items that catch their attention and bid when the right opportunity comes along.