Starting December 7, all mothers receiving vouchers through the California WIC program will receive $10 worth of fruits and vegetables each month, representing a two-dollar increase in value from the old vouchers. With the roll-out, California becomes one of the first states in the country to implement the two-dollar increase, which became law with the enactment of the FY’10 Agricultural Appropriations Bill.

United Fresh, along with the National WIC Association and Food Research and Action Center advocated for the increase. The policy change is especially impactful in California, which has the nation's largest WIC program. In the state, the increase in value of the WIC vouchers will translate into an additional $5.3 million in fruit and vegetable purchases by WIC families this fiscal year.

State WIC agencies will be rolling out the increase nationwide over the next three to four months, translating to an additional $42 million in fruit and vegetable purchases.

United Fresh, along with its advocacy partners, is committed to continuing public policy efforts to increase the cash-value of the children's WIC fruit and vegetable voucher from the current $6 per month to $8 per month consistent with recommendations made by the Institute of Medicine.

For more information on the increase, contact Dr. DiSogra at 202-303-3400.