Milk is an important commodity supplied under the SNAP Women, Infants And Children Program (WIC). The USDA has proposed reducing the amount provided through the WIC food package by six quarts per month.  Over six million mothers and their infants’ benefit from the WIC dairy allocation hence the 25 percent reduction could be deleterious to development.  USDA maintains that their proposed action is based on recommendations advanced by the Independent National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine.

Predictably, the International Dairy Foods Association is opposed to the reduction, claiming that a significant proportion of WIC participants would not re-enroll in the program if milk allocation and dairy benefits are cut.  A third of respondents surveyed stated that they would use personal funds to cover the reduction if the WIC allocation were reduced.

Michael Dykes, President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, stated, “At a time of rising food costs and high food insecurity, USDA should focus on increasing access to a wide variety of helpful, nutrient-dense and affordable foods including dairy products.”