WIC Facts & Figures

Since 1974, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children has helped safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. WIC provides food prescriptions, breastfeeding and nutrition counseling, and referral to health and social services. In so doing, WIC increases families’ purchasing power and reduces health care expenditures by preventing birth complications and childhood illness. Resources on this page will give you an overview of WIC and its nutritional, social and economic impacts for California and the U.S.