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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.
- USDA's proposed cuts to WIC dairy benefits concern most WIC beneficiaries.
- USDA's proposed cuts to WIC dairy benefits will change how WIC beneficiaries shop for dairy.
- USDA's proposed cuts to WIC dairy benefits will negatively impact program participation.
Dairy is the most commonly purchased food group by WIC beneficiaries.
Four-in-five WIC beneficiaries purchase dairy products (78%) through the WIC program.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Click here to access topline results and here to access crosstab results from the poll.