WIC – Women, Infants, and Children

Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s final rule on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), canned fruits, vegetables and beans, as well as canned juice and fish, are allowed under the new food packages. Within those categories, there are many varieties of canned food options available today that meet the USDA’s food requirements for WIC and that can help WIC participants meet the Dietary Guidelines.

The CFA commends the 26 state WIC programs who allow participants to purchase canned fruits and vegetables with the Cash Value Voucher and the 34 states that include canned beans for all women and children with no restrictions.

At a time when Americans need nutritious, convenient and affordable food options most, however, the CFA believes that all women and children participating in WIC deserve access to canned food. Even the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that all forms of fruits, vegetables and beans (canned, fresh, frozen and dried) should be promoted to help Americans meet dietary goals and increase their intake of essential shortfall vitamins and nutrients, such as fiber, potassium, iron and folate. WIC participants should be permitted to select the form of food that best meets their lifestyle and family preferences.

Below, you can learn about the many ways canned foods make sense for WIC participants and access teaching tools to help participants cook with canned food. If you have questions about the status of your state allowing canned fruits, vegetables or beans, please contact us at info@mealtime.org.

CFA Position on WIC

Read our full position statement on WIC here.

WIC Tips & Tools

Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s final rule on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), canned fruits, vegetables and beans, as well as canned juice and fish, are allowed under the new food packages. Within those categories, there are many varieties of canned food options available today that meet the USDA’s food requirements for WIC and that can help WIC participants meet the Dietary Guidelines.

To help you and your colleagues understand and communicate the many benefits canned foods can provide, we’ve gathered the following resources.

Top Picks for WIC:

Benefits of WIC and Allowing Canned Fruits, Vegetables, Beans

NUTRITION: When it comes to food and nutrition, ALL forms (fresh, canned, frozen and dried) should be promoted, per the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

  • Allowing ALL forms of fruits, vegetables and beans in food packages gives WIC moms greater choice to buy what works best for them. It also allows them to maximize their fruit and vegetable voucher, a key objective of the 2009 WIC food package changes.
  • Canned fruits and vegetables offer WIC families the same quality nutrients as fresh, sometimes at higher levels than in other forms (UC-Davis; J Sci Food Agric, 2007).

AFFORDABILITY: Canned foods often provide key nutrients for less money and time-investment than other forms (J Nutr and Food Sci, 2012).

  • A $10 or $12 WIC voucher can go much further when purchasing canned varieties of most fruits and vegetables, stretching food dollars while providing important nutrition.
  • Canned foods are often less expensive per serving than other forms. Allowing the option of canned fruit, vegetables and beans can help WIC participants make the most of their benefits year-round, especially when some foods are out-of-season.

LESS WASTE: Fresh food can spoil quickly. Canned foods can be stored until ready to eat, so taxpayer dollars intended to improve nutrition for WIC families do just that.

  • 2/3 of Americans throw away fresh fruit on occasion; 80% sometimes throw out fresh vegetables (Produce for Better Health Foundation, 2012).
  • WIC requirements say state agencies must consider the impact of WIC-approved options on homeless participants who may not have the ability to properly store fresh produce.
  • Canned food is packed in the most recycled food and beverage container – the steel can – which reduces environmental waste.

CONVENIENCE: Canned foods are easy to prepare, requiring no to little re-heating, no special cooking skills and little advance planning, so busy WIC moms can get nutritious food on the table quickly.

  • A recent survey of WIC participants found nearly 10% did not regularly purchase dry beans and peas; a top reason given was because they were “too much trouble to prepare” (WIC Survey, USDA/FNS, April 2012).
  • Research suggests 1/3 of Americans decide what to make for dinner at the last minute and choose to serve a particular dish because it requires little or no planning (Rutgers; Top Clin Nutr, 2007).

PREFERENCE: Many state WIC programs allow canned fruit, vegetables and beans, recognizing families enjoy the nutrition, affordability and convenience they provide.

  • Canned fruits and vegetables play a key role in the U.S. food supply, accounting for 6% of per capita fruit availability and 24% of total vegetable availability (USDA/ERS Food Availability Data, May 2012).
  • A study of Wisconsin’s WIC program after it allowed the substitution of canned or dried beans for peanut butter found families particularly liked the canned bean option. Among those opting for beans, nearly 54% selected canned vs. 46% who chose dried. Study authors speculated allowing beans could reduce overall fat intake among participants – a goal of the latest WIC food package changes (Altarum Institute, Dec. 2011).

ACCESS: Canned fruits and vegetables are always in season and various retailers carry them, so WIC moms can find what they are looking for at a reliable price.

  • Canned foods are typically found at large and small retailers, preventing searches to find eligible fresh fruit and vegetables. And because canned foods have a longer shelf-life, WIC moms can stock up on frequently used items in just one trip to one supermarket.
  • In the U.S., 11.5 million people live in low-income areas more than one mile from a supermarket (USDA report on food deserts, June 2009).

USDA Recommends Canned Food Choices for WIC. Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s final rule on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), canned fruits, vegetables and beans, as well as canned juice and fish, are allowed under the new food packages.

Canned Food Choices Approved by the USDA as Part of the WIC Program

Canned Fruit

  • Any variety of canned fruit packed in natural juice or water
  • No added sugars, fats, oils or salts (sodium)

Canned Vegetables

  • Any variety of canned vegetables (except white potatoes and pickled vegetables)
  • No added fats or oils
  • Minimal added sugar allowed for processing

Canned Juice

  • 100% unsweetened fruit or vegetable juice**
  • Must contain a minimum of 30 mg of vitamin C per 100 mL
  • Must be pasteurized

Canned Fish*

  • Light tuna**
  • Salmon**
  • Sardines
  • Mackerel (restrictions)
  • May be packed in water or oil

Canned Beans

  • Any type of mature beans, peas or lentils (64 oz)***
  • No added fats, oils or meats Minimal added sugar allowed for processing (Baked beans permitted if limited cooking facilities)

*States must offer at least two types
**Must conform to FDA standard of identity
***Most state agencies allow cans 16 oz or smaller due to variation in marketplace availability (WIC Food Policy Options Final Report, USDA FNS, June 2011, p. 32)