The USDA is extending flexibility in funding the WIC program. Through the end of September, the USDA will cover the added cost of non-contract formula to ensure it is financially feasible for states to allow WIC participants to purchase alternate sizes, forms, or brands of infant formula.
“Ensuring families have the formula they need continues to be an all-hands-on-deck, cross-sector effort, and USDA remains fully engaged,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, in a statement. “WIC families are counting on us, and we will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to get them the nourishment their babies need.”
State agencies have contracts with one of three manufacturers to provide the formula to WIC infants who are partially or fully formula fed; state agencies that contract with Reckitt Mead Johnson or Gerber seek flexibility to allow alternate formulas which the USDA will continue to subsidize. Additionally, in states that contract with Abbott, the formula company, rather than the USDA, will cover any cost difference in allowing alternate formulas.
The Biden-Harris Administration, the FDA, and the USDA have all recently collaborated on many actions, including transporting formula from overseas, providing toolkits and guidance to WIC state agencies to assist with distributing formula, and guiding Child and Adult Care Food Program operators to provide the formula to infants in their care.
Related: FDA Provides Infant Formula Resources; USDA Increases Funding For School, Childcare Meals