
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.
What is WIC?
- Nutrition Program Facts: WIC (USDA)
- WIC at a Glance (USDA)
- Background, Trends, & Economic Issues (USDA)
- National and State Level Estimates of WIC Program Eligibility and Program Reach in 2020
How Does California Benefit?
- California Fact Sheet – WIC Works! (CWA, 2023)
- Estimated WIC Participation and Dollars Redeemed, by California Congressional District (CWA, 2023)
Other Useful Resources
California Department of Public Health, WIC Division
http://www.wicworks.ca.gov/
CWA WIC & Breastfeeding Policy Briefs
https://calwic.org/index.php/news-publications/library/
USDA, Food and Nutrition Service, WIC Program
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Breastfeeding Resources
http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/
