Eat More Fruits and Vegetables with Montana WIC

WIC is a USDA-funded program that provides healthy foods to low-income pregnant and postpartum people, infants and children up to age five. For 2023, Montana WIC is adjusting the amounts of its cash-value benefit (CVB), which provide money to spend on fruits and vegetables. Members can expect the following increases: $25/month for child participants, $44/month for pregnant and postpartum participants and $49/month for fully and partially breastfeeding participants.

Between 2020 and 2022, the CVB increased considerably as part of the American Rescue Plan Act to address family needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. For children, monthly benefits increased from $9/month (pre-pandemic) to $24/month; and for adults, they rose from $11/month (pre-pandemic) to $43/month for pregnant and postpartum women and to $47/month for breastfeeding women.

WIC reaches nearly half of all infants born in the U.S., and approximately 40% of all babies born in Montana. Early childhood is a critical period for establishing lifelong dietary habits. Nearly 90% of Americans fail to consume recommended amounts of vegetables and more than 80% fail to meet recommended amounts of fruit (USDA & USDHHS, 2020). Providing a higher CVB amount will likely result in improved and sustained child fruit and vegetable intakes (NASEM, 2017).

What WIC Participants Need to Know

» The WIC foods are loaded electronically onto a WIC benefits card with monthly amounts allocated for each food. Fruit and vegetable amounts are issued as a “Cash Value Benefit” (CVB) that can be used to buy any variety of fruit or vegetable.

» If you’re a member, or qualify for these benefits, you can expect these CVB increases: $25/month for child participants, $44/month for pregnant and postpartum participants, and $49/month for fully and partially breastfeeding participants.

» If you receive WIC benefits, this change will be automatic for you.

» Contact your local WIC agency at signupwic.com to learn more about the CVB increase, or simply reach out to see if you qualify!