Let WIC recipients choose organic foods
- by: Piper
- recipient: Secretary Vilsack
The WIC Program serves to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, & children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care. The recipients are given vouchers every month that cover the cost of pre-established amounts of certain products like milk, cheese, eggs and bread. Under the current guidelines, the only organics allowed to be bought with WIC vouchers are fruits and vegetables. These vouchers are given a dollar limit as opposed to a pre-established quantity with brand restrictions. The low-income families that receive WIC should be allowed to choose other organic and hormone-free products the same way they can opt for organic fruits and vegetables. They should not be forced to consume only non-organic essentials like, "the least expensive milk." These families should be able to decide for themselves between foods produced without pesticides, fertilizers and hormones and the cheaper option.
The WIC Program serves to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, & children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care. The recipients are given vouchers every month that cover the cost of pre-established amounts of certain products like milk, cheese, eggs and bread. Under the current guidelines, the only organics allowed to be bought with WIC vouchers are fruits and vegetables. These vouchers are given a dollar limit as opposed to a pre-established quantity with brand restrictions. We, the undersigned, believe the low-income families that receive WIC should be allowed to choose other organic and hormone-free products the same way they can opt for organic fruits and vegetables. They should not be forced to consume only non-organic essentials like, "the least expensive milk." Let these families decide for themselves between foods produced without pesticides, fertilizers and hormones and the cheaper option. Thank you for taking the time to consider this issue.
