Started in 1974, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) was designed to meet the special nutritional needs of low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum women; infants; and children up to 5 years of age who have at least one nutritional risk factor. The WIC Program provides three main benefits: supplemental foods, nutrition education, and referrals to health and social services.

Since the inception of the WIC program, substantial changes in size and demographics of the population, food supply and dietary patterns, and health concerns have made it necessary to review the WIC food packages. Proposed Criteria for Selecting the WIC Food Packages proposes priority nutrients and general nutrition recommendations for the WIC program, and recommends specific changes to the WIC packages.