U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – On Tuesday, the VI Department of Health’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program launched the first phase of updated food packages — starting with infants — to provide participating families with greater nutritional value and increased flexibility.
The updates are part of a nationwide initiative by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve access to healthier food options that promote positive health outcomes for both mothers and children. Enhancements include a permanent increase in the cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables, expanded food options, and adjustments based on the latest science-based nutritional guidelines.
The VI WIC Program will roll out phase two, which will update food packages for women and children, later this year.
“The VI Department of Health is proud to support these much-needed enhancements to the WIC Program that make it easier for families in the Virgin Islands to access nutritious food, especially in collaboration with the VI Department of Agriculture,” said VI Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion. “By increasing the value of fruits and vegetables and offering culturally appropriate options, we are empowering families to make healthier choices from the start—supporting lifelong wellness.”
The updated WIC food packages offer a wider range of foods tailored to meet the diverse dietary needs of participants. Key changes include:
- permanent increases in monthly cash value benefits for fruits and vegetables, including fresh herbs
- $26 for children
- $47 for pregnant and postpartum women
- $52 for fully or partially breastfeeding women
- $22 for infants who opt for cash value benefits instead of jarred baby food
- earlier eligibility for infant cash value benefits, beginning at 6 months instead of 9 months
- expanded options for whole grains and non-dairy substitutes
“It is a privilege to introduce these updated infant packages to our WIC families,” said Lorna Concepcion, Director of the USVI WIC Program. “These changes demonstrate our ongoing commitment to offering greater variety—more fresh produce, more flexibility—and support healthy eating habits from infancy onward.”
USVI WIC participants can begin accessing the new infant food benefits starting this month. The WIC Program continues to support the health and well-being of women, infants, and young children through nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and access to healthy foods.
For more information about changes to the WIC food packages, visit the USDA, Food and Nutrition Service website at https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic or click here.
For more information or to apply for WIC benefits, visit https://doh.vi.gov/women-infants-and-children/ or contact your local WIC clinic at 340-718-9157 or 340-776-1770.
About the Virgin Islands WIC Program:
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is a federally funded initiative that provides supplemental foods, nutrition education, and support to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, as well as infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk. The program aims to improve health outcomes and foster healthy eating habits among its participants.
