Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 18, 2024 CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected] Women, Infants, and Children program marks 50 years of LANSING, Mich. – For the last 50 years, the Michigan Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program has worked to positively affect pregnancy outcomes, child growth and development. The U.S. Congress began the federally funded Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants and children in 1974 under the administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. WIC began operating in Michigan that year, with the first clinic opening in the Delta-Menominee region of the Upper Peninsula, followed soon by one in Kalamazoo. Administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), WIC serves low and moderate income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. As part of the anniversary celebration, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a special tribute commemorating 50 years of distinguished service and support to WIC families in Michigan. Past and present Michigan WIC staff also recently gathered to share memories and celebrate the enormous strides made in the program over the past five decades. The mission of WIC is to improve the health of pregnant and postpartum people, infants and children by providing client-centered services, nutritious foods, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding and chestfeeding education and support, health screenings and referrals to health care providers and other community resources. “WIC has positively impacted the health and well-being of millions of Michigan families over the past five decades,” said Elizaeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Each month, more than 200,000 moms, babies and children under age five receive nutritious foods from the Michigan WIC program, providing them with a healthy start.” WIC has been shown to lessen the number of fetal deaths, reduce infant mortality, decrease low birth weight deliveries, lower the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and increase immunization rates. It has also provided positive economic impacts to local communities as WIC food benefits are redeemed at local retail stores.
Pictured (l. to r.) at the MDHHS WIC 50th anniversary celebration with a tribute issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are Brenda Jegede, director, MDHHS Bureau of Health and Wellness; Christina Herring, Michigan WIC director; Sarah Lyon-Callo, senior deputy director, MDHHS Public Health Administration; and Kristi Fox, branch chief, Supplemental Food Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.
Michigan was one of the first adopters of Electronic Benefit Transfer issued benefits, moving away from paper coupons in 2007. While only a few options existed at the start of the program, WIC clients can now choose from around 2,200 products when shopping for their families. Vendors accepting WIC have grown to more than 1,400 locations, providing options and promoting a dignified shopping experience. “We are so proud of the ways in which we have improved the WIC program in Michigan since its inception and look forward to continued modernization to make WIC even more accessible for those in need,” said Michigan WIC Director Christina Herring. Learn more about the WIC program and its benefits at Michigan.gov/WIC. |
Women, Infants, and Children program marks 50 years
