On the heels of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposal to cut WIC benefits for milk and dairy purchases, new polling of 534 WIC participants shows that 20% of WIC participants would choose not to re-enroll in the program should USDA follow through with the cuts to milk and dairy benefits in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

A staggering three-in-four WIC participants (76%) said they are concerned with the USDA proposal, with one-third (35%) saying they will need to use non-WIC funds to cover purchases of milk and dairy and one-quarter (26%) saying the reduction will make their shopping for milk and dairy products harder, according to the poll. Roughly one-third (34%) were unsure if they would re-enroll in the program following the proposed cuts.

Key results from the poll are below, and the full results of the survey are accessible here.

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Dairy is the most commonly purchased food group by WIC beneficiaries.

Four-in-five WIC beneficiaries purchase dairy products (78%) through the WIC program.

USDA's proposed cuts concern most WIC beneficiaries.

Three-in-four WIC beneficiaries (76%) are very concerned or somewhat concerned with USDA's recent proposal to reduce the WIC benefit used to purchase milk and dairy products.

USDA's proposed cuts to dairy will change how WIC beneficiaries shop for dairy.

If USDA decides to reduce the WIC benefit used to purchase milk and dairy products, one-third of WIC beneficiaries (35%) say they will need to use non-WIC funds to purchase milk and dairy products.

USDA's proposed cuts to WIC dairy benefits will negatively impact program participation.

If USDA decides to reduce the WIC benefit used to purchase milk and dairy products, one-fifth of WIC beneficiaries (20%) say they will not re-enroll in WIC.

Click here to access topline results and here to access crosstab results from the poll.