A pandemic-era school lunch program would become permanent and food assistance would be expanded to individuals with prior drug convictions under the White House’s fiscal 2022 budget request.
The following is a news release from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Participants in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will see a temporary increase in their June through September benefits for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables. Idaho received $2.4 million […]
Idaho WIC temporarily increases food benefits
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Participants in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will see a temporary increase in their June through September benefits for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Idaho received $2.4 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to boost the Cash-Value Benefit (CVB) for WIC participants by more than three times the current amount for up to four months to provide additional relief during this difficult time. The additional money will also increase revenue for Idaho’s WIC-authorized grocery retailers.
Related New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that while hunger in America is still surging far above pre-pandemic levels, Congressional aid is making a difference. This is welcome news for a country that has seen lines at food banks stretching on for miles and too many families going without food.
It is also a reminder that hunger is not inevitable it’s a policy choice.
Even before the pandemic, over 40 million Americans experienced food insecurity. While Congress has made significant and important progress to address hunger during the COVID pandemic through landmark investments in nutrition programs, we believe it’s time to take the next step. That’s why we are calling for the White House to hold a substantive, policy-based conference focused on ending hunger throughout the United States by 2030.