NMPF, IDFA seek to fix WIC proposal that would reduce access to dairy nutrients
Groups issue statement in response to USDA proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
“It is unfortunate for WIC participants that the proposed rule would reduce access to dairy products and the unique nutrient profile they provide, especially given that the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) notes that a staggering nearly 90 percent of the US population does not consume adequate amounts of dairy products to meet dietary guidelines,” the joint statement said. (m01229, Flickr/Creative Commons)
ARLINGTON, VA and WASHINGTON — The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the International Dairy Association (IDFA), representing dairy farmers, cooperatives and processors, issued the following joint statement in response to the USDA’s proposed changes to the Special Supplement Program Food for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) released today:
“It is unfortunate for WIC participants that the proposed rule would reduce access to dairy products and the unique nutrient profile they provide, especially given that the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) notes that a staggering nearly 90 percent of the US population does not consume enough dairy foods to meet dietary guidelines. In an era of rising food prices and high food insecurity, we must focus on increasing access to a wide range of healthy, nutrient-dense and affordable foods, including both fresh produce and dairy products. It is unfortunate that the proposed rule would limit a WIC family’s purchasing power for nutritious dairy products, especially at a time like this.
“WIC is central to ensuring that pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children have access to the nutrients they need to grow and develop during critical life stages related to pregnancy, birth and early childhood. A large body of scientific research in the field of nutrition shows that nutritious dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese and cottage cheese are especially important in the diets of women, infants and children. Dairy is a source of 13 nutrients, including three of the four nutrients of public health concern, as noted by the DGA, so dairy has always played a significant role in the WIC program.
“NMPF and IDFA commend the USDA for offering approaches to make the nutrient-dense foods provided by the WIC program more accessible, including expanded yogurt and cheese options, and offering WIC participants access to these dairy products in a broader assortment. package sizes most commonly found in grocery stores. We also applaud the USDA for its continued commitment to the nutritional equivalence of substitute foods, rejecting those that do not provide an equivalent nutritional package as recommended by the DGA.
“We look forward to working with the USDA to modernize the WIC grocery package for eligible families to access the nutrient-dense milk, yogurt and cheese varieties that are part of their daily diet and available at neighborhood stores, thus fulfilling the program’s nutrition objectives. IDFA, NMPF, and our members will oppose cuts to the amount of nutritious dairy products provided through WIC in the USDA’s final rule because we are committed to reducing food insecurity, malnutrition, and diet-related disease while improving health outcomes by facilitating it’s for all Americans get access to healthy, affordable food, including nutritious dairy products. We hope that USDA will work toward these same goals in developing the WIC final rule, which, given the unique nutrient package of dairy products and the unparalleled role in the nutrition of WIC participants, will require USDA not to reduce access to dairy products in the WIC program.”
The National Federation of Milk Producers, based in Arlington, Virginia, develops and implements policies that benefit dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of the milk in the U.S., making NMPF the dairy voice on Capitol Hill and in government offices. To learn more, visit www.nmpf.org.
The International Dairy Association (IDFA), Washington, DC, represents the nation’s dairy production and marketing industry, which supports more than 3.3 million jobs generating $41.6 billion in direct earnings and $753 billion in total economic impact. IDFA’s diverse membership ranges from multinationals to single-plant companies, from dairies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all at the forefront of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they account for 90 percent of the milk, cheeses, ice cream, yogurt, and cultured products and dairy ingredients produced and sold in the United States and sold worldwide. Delicious, safe and nutritious dairy products bring unprecedented health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.
– National Federation of Milk Producers
International Dairy Association
https://www.morningagclips.com/nmpf-idfa-seek-to-fix-wic-proposal-that-would-decrease-access-to-dairys-nutrients/ NMPF, IDFA seek to fix WIC proposal that would reduce access to dairy nutrients
