The Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants
and Children (WIC) and The Pennsylvania Farmers’ Market Nutrition
Program (FMNP)
Suggestions for Advocacy:
In Pennsylvania WIC
clinics are reducing services because of a lack of
funding. Ask your legislator to restore state funding
for WIC nutrition services.
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WIC began in 1974 in response to an appeal from
medical doctors with patients who suffered from ailments that
could best be treated by food. Since its origins, WIC's effectiveness
as a health program has been demonstrated repeatedly:
- a big reduction in the incidence of low-weight babies and
infant mortality;
- a big reduction in the incidence of iron deficiency anemia
among children;
- improved vocabularies and digit memory scores among four
and five-year-olds;
- higher rates of childhood immunizations; and
- savings in the Medical Assistance Program of $3 for each
WIC dollar spent.
From June 1 to November 30, FMNP provides WIC participants with
checks to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets.
The program is designed to promote healthy eating and Pennsylvania
agriculture at the same time. Pennsylvania's FMNP is the second
largest in the US.
Who can provide the service?
There are 25 agencies in Pennsylvania that contract
with the PA Department of Health to provide WIC. These agencies
staff 365 clinics across the state. These clinics also provide
FMNP coupons to eligible women and children.
FMNP coupons for Seniors are available through
senior centers in all counties of Pennsylvania. The program is
administered locally through the Area Agency on Aging.
How is it financed?
WIC is funded by the federal government ( PA
received $132.51 million in 2001-02) and is administered by the
PA Department of Health. At present, no state dollars are involved.
FMNP is jointly funded by PA ($1.455 million
annually)and the federal government ($4.5 million this year),
and is administered by the PA Department of Agriculture.
Who can receive this service?
Pregnant women, breastfeeding women up to 12 months
postpartum, non-breastfeeding women up to six months postpartum,
and children up to five years of age who are determined by a health
professional to be at medical or nutritional risk and whose family
incomes are below 185 percent of poverty. Foster children and
those on medical assistance are automatically income eligible
for WIC.
Seniors are eligible for FMNP coupons if their
annual income is below $16,391 (for a single) or $22,089 (for
a couple).
What is provided?
WIC provides a basic health assessment and appropriate referrals
for immunizations and health care. It provides vouchers for a
basic food package that includes milk, eggs, cheese, fruit and
vegetable juices, cereal, peanut butter, dried beans and peas.
Breastfeeding mothers may receive tuna and carrots; newborns may
receive infant formula and cereals. The average value of the food
package is $51 a month. Along with the food, WIC provides nutrition
information to ensure foods will be properly used.
During either June or July, pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding
women receive an additional $20 in FMNP vouchers for the purchase
of fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers' markets. Children
ages 2, 3 and 4, and seniors (60 years and over) also receive
$20 in vouchers.
Contact:
The PA Department of Health at 1-800 WIC WINS
(1-800-942-9467). (1-800-942-9467) for WIC-related
questions. The PA Department of Agriculture
at (717)787-4737 for FMNP-related questions.
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