USDA invests $53 million to modernize WIC services
EL PASO, Texas (CBS4) — Maternal and child health is seeing a large investment in the special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
The United States Department of Agriculture awarded $53 million across three major grants, all funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
This comes as an effort from the Biden Administration to minimize hunger in the United States.
The grants come from the USDA's food and nutrition service with the main focus aiming to improve outreach and program experience for both existing and potential participants.
According to a press release from the USDA, the following grants were awarded:
Community Innovation and Outreach Agreement: $20 million to the Food Research and Action Center for innovative outreach to both existing and potential WIC participants as well as expanding partnerships with community-based organizations to connect underserved populations with WIC.
Technology for a Better WIC Experience: Communications, Data, and Metric Grants: $23 million to state agencies to improve technology and service delivery in WIC.
WIC Shopping Experience Improvement Grants: $10 million to state agencies to improve shopping experience through modernizing in-store shopping.
There are 18 WIC offices in El Paso and 2 WIC offices in Las Cruces.
Services offered include:
- Providing supplemental foods
- Nutrition education
- Breastfeeding support
- Health care and social services referrals
If you're interested in applying for WIC services in El Paso, click here.
If you're interested in applying for WIC services in Las Cruces, click here.
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