November 30, 2007
WIC Program Struggles with Funding Shortfall
Montana Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program officials have been closely following escalating food prices, specifically on dairy products. Since 2006, eggs have increased 80 percent, milk 23 percent and cheese 17 percent.
And, those cost increases show no signs of slowing down, state WIC director Joan Bowsher of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services said Friday. “Our budget really began to be impacted in August 2007,” Bowsher said. “That’s when we knew we had to make some budget cuts, since we are seeing no increase in the funds available from the USDA for the states to provide the program.”
The program is taking the following steps that could improve the budget situation in the short term:- Reducing the amount of milk clients receive in their food packages for nutritional reasons effective December 1, 2007.
- Encouraging local WIC sites to tailor food packages to each individual’s needs as a way to reduce waste.
- Encouraging WIC participants to choose the lowest cost food products available.
Organic foods were set to be dropped from the list of WIC-approved foods on Dec. 1, 2007 as another way to save the program money. However, WIC officials will continue to allow organic foods and look at alternate ways the program can reduce costs while it continues to face the potential for budget shortfalls if food prices continue to rise, while federal program funding does not.
“Our overall budget dilemma goes far beyond organic foods,” Bowsher said. “Although removing organic foods would save the program some money, it’s difficult to calculate exactly how much. So, for the time being, we’re going to step back and study the issue further.” Bowsher also noted that none of the proposed changes will affect the WIC Farmers Market Program.As a longer-term solution to the problem, in March 2008, the program will require participants to purchase the lowest cost brand for each approved product. Montana is one of the last states in the country to implement this change. However, state WIC officials have asked the USDA to consider a waiver allowing participants to purchase higher cost brands if they have the ability and choose to pay the difference in price.
Bowsher stresses that there is no quick fix to the program’s growing budget woes. “The state is continuing to analyze the situation and take all cost-saving measures into account while continuing to serve all of the people in the state who need WIC services,” she said.
The program is funded by the USDA and has about a $1 million a month food budget. In Montana, the WIC program is offered through 27 local agencies with services available to over 22,000 participants in all 56 counties and seven reservations. In addition, over 225 grocery stores accept WIC vouchers.
The program helps low-income families who meet the program qualifications. To qualify, a woman must be pregnant, breastfeeding, or recently had a baby. Age eligibility for infants is birth to 12 months, and a child up to five years old. Participants must be state residents and they must have been determined by a health professional to be at nutritional or medical risk.
For more information call Bowsher at 406-444-4747.
Page last updated: 12/04/2007
