New WIC Foods: WIConnect!

Toolkit: Comments on Interim Final Rule for New Food Package
Toolkit: Media for New WIC Food Package

Better Foods…

The long-awaited Interim Rule transforming WIC's food packages was released on December 6, 2007! On October 1, 2009, the new WIC food packages rolled out! Now we need to have our say about the new WIC foods and write USDA comments about what is great and what needs to be improved. Comments are needed by February 1, 2010 on the Interim Rule. The rule will significantly enhance the nutritional quality of foods available to WIC mothers, infants and young children, improve access to healthy foods in low-income communities, and thus improve health outcomes nationwide.

Clear Messages…

WIConnect will maximize each food package change with a carefully researched and planned strategy, ensuring that, as the New Foods are rolled out, they are consistently accompanied by Clear Messages to participants and other WIC partners.

…Healthy Outcomes!

In order to do a better job in setting and achieving measurable public health improvements, it will be critical to carefully document and publicly celebrate our success in achieving positive and measurable outcomes among our large and high-risk population. The new WIC food packages give us the opportunity to shine in new ways!

Stay Tuned…CWA will keep YOU connected to WIConnect …The Shape of Things to Come!

Toolkit: Comments on Interim Final Rule for New Food Package

Write your comments on the Department of Agriculture’s interim final rule – comments are due February 1, 2010. Comments are important – USDA reads and tallies them carefully, especially if they are not form letters. CWA has several key recommendations we’d like USDA consider before they finalize these important WIC changes for good – and we need your help! Just download, personalize, and send your own comments into USDA.

Comments on the interim rule must be postmarked on or before February 1, 2010. Submit comments in one of two ways:
1. Go to www.regulations.gov and click on "Open for Comment/Submission" to limit your search and then enter the keyword in the search box "wic food package interim rule" or "FNS-2006-0037-0003". and then click the box for "open comment". When you find the interim rule FNS-2006-0037-0003, click on "Submit a comment."
   OR
2. Mail your comments to:
Debra Whitford, Director, Supplemental Food Programs Division
Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
3101 Park Center Drive, Room 520
Alexandria, Virginia 22302

• WIC AGENCY DIRECTOR MODEL COMMENTS
• WIC PARTNER-STAKEHOLDER MODEL COMMENTS
• GRASSROOTS ADVOCATE MODEL COMMENTS
• CWA DETAILED COMMENTS
• Participant Comment Sheet - English
• Participant Comment Sheet - Spanish
• Participant Comment Sheet - Chinese
• Participant Comment Sheet - Hmong

• Food Package Comment Campaign Broadside
• Countdown to February 1
• How and When to Submit Your Food Package Comments
• Change Sticker
• WIC’s New Food Package: Making Change Matter (ppt)
• New WIC Foods and Healthy Habits for Life (ppt)
• Coloring Sheets: Fruit, Veggie

Toolkit: Media for New WIC Food Package

• FAQs - Local Media Release of the New WIC Foods
• Writing a Media Advisory
• Writing a Press Release
• October 1, 2009 Media Release of the New WIC Foods
• Media Release of the New WIC Foods
• Instructions and Timeline
• Interview Guidelines
• California WIC Authorized Foods

WIC Vendor Toolkit

• Changes in the WIC Food Packages: A Toolkit for Partnering with Neighborhood Stores

Resources

• New WIC Foods(CA) for Pregnant Women   Front   Back
• New WIC Foods(CA) for Breastfeeding Women   Front   Back
• New WIC Foods(CA) for Children   Front   Back
• New WIC Foods Flyer for Pregnant Women (Spanish)   Front   Back
• New WIC Foods Flyer for Breastfeeding Women (Spanish)   Front   Back
• New WIC Foods Flyer for Children (Spanish)   Front   Back
• The USDA Interim Final Rule
• Report: CA WIC Participant Food Shopping and Consumption Habits Survey
• Report: CA WIC Staff Food Shopping and Consumption Habits Survey
• New WIC Food Package Resources