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Supplemental Information
Are organic foods WIC-eligible?
WIC stands for the Women, Infants and Children supplemental nutrition program of the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. More about WIC
Some organic forms of WIC-eligible foods (e.g., milk, eggs, cheese) meet the nutritional requirements set forth in WIC regulations and are therefore authorized. However, WIC State agencies are responsible for determining the brands and types of foods to authorize on their State WIC food lists. Some State agencies may allow organic foods on their foods lists, but this will vary by State. The decision may be influenced by a number of factors such as cost, product distribution within a State, and WIC participant acceptance.
Organic fruits and vegetables purchased via the WIC cash-value voucher are authorized; there is not State discretion to disallow them. The cash-value voucher may be redeemed for any WIC-eligible fruit and vegetable.
In Minnesota, organic foods are not on the list for regular WIC-eligible purchases. Organic foods may be purchased with the WIC-FMNP (Farmers Market Nutrition Program) cash-value vouchers, or with the “FFV” vouchers (Fresh Fruits & Vegetables).
In Minnesota, the difference between regular WIC and the FMNP or FFV vouchers in allowing organic food purchases exists because regular WIC is an item-based program. There is a “market basket” of food items that are approved for each WIC participant each month, and a fixed amount of money available for the WIC program; so if more-expensive items are allowed, that means that fewer people can participate in the WIC program. The FMNP and FFV vouchers, in contrast, are both dollars-based, which means that each participant gets a set amount of money to spend. Participants can choose to allocate their FMNP and FFV dollars to organic foods, because a more-expensive choice by a participant will not affect other participants’ access to the FMNP and FFV vouchers.
(Carol Milligan, personal communication, 1/20/2012)
