Child Nutrition News: WIC, Summer Nutrition, and Back-to-School Resources

WIC Action and Resources

Although NYS WIC serves about 440,000 New Yorkers, the highest number since late 2016, it serves about half of eligible New Yorkers statewide. We still have a long way to go for WIC to reach all eligible families with its vital public health services, but we need more voices from the WIC community and beyond to elevate the program's life-changing benefits and opportunities for growth.

During the next few weeks of August, and leading up to the September 30th federal Appropriations deadline, we are asking two things of WIC participants and partners:

1.  Are you a current or past WIC participant? Please take the NYS WIC Association’s quick survey to share your thoughts on the current fruit/vegetable benefit and WIC's vital services. Are you a local WIC agency or partner? Please share this with your networks via text, email, or social media. Comments may be used in advocacy efforts, whether anonymously or with first name/county attached, per respondents’ preference.
2. Raise your voice with New York's Congressional delegation using the National WIC Association’s easy-to-use online tool. Remind our leaders that since 2020, New York has seen a nearly 23% increase in overall WIC participation, including a 30% increase in participation among children – even higher than national growth. WIC served more than 442,000 New Yorkers in 2024, up from 360,000 in March 2020. As of September 2023, 249,000 New York children participated in the program, up from 191,000 in March 2020.

The message: Congress must fully fund WIC to serve projected caseloads with the current science-based food package.

Free WIC Bulk Order Outreach Materials

Hundreds of partners have ordered free WIC outreach materials in bulk for distribution over the past two years. We offer materials in both English and Spanish, available on the growing WIC Resource Center for your use, including 15 and 30 second videos, ‘grab-n-go’ social media toolkits, and bulk order printed materials. Subscribe to our WIC eNews to get updates whenever there are new outreach materials available in the resource center.

We invite WIC partners to:

• Place a free bulk order to replenish your outreach materials and/or order new ones.
• Take a 3-minute survey to share your feedback on materials you’ve ordered and new resource needs.

Thank you for your ongoing efforts to reach more eligible New Yorkers!

ICYMI:

• Connecting eligible patients to WIC, SNAP, and other federal nutrition programs reduces healthcare expenses, improves nutrition, and enhances positive health outcomes. Read the new Food as Medicine Survey Findings: How Anti-Hunger Organizations Partner With Health Care Providers to Address Food Insecurity report, including highlights from New York efforts.
• Celebrate National Breastfeeding Month in August by promoting WIC's breastfeeding support services with videos, social media content, and other outreach resources, available in our WIC Resource Center. WIC local agencies in New York are also celebrating with outreach events, ranging from community health fairs to trivia nights, that will be free and open to the public throughout the month.

Summer Nutrition

Happening Now: Summer EBT Benefits! 

Summer EBT is a new federal nutrition program that will make a significant difference for children and families in New York. Eligible children will receive $120 in food benefits on an EBT card that can be used to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other SNAP-authorized retailers.

Many children will receive Summer EBT benefits automatically, without needing to apply. For example, children who receive SNAP, Temporary Assistance, and in certain cases, Medicaid, will receive benefits automatically. To learn more about who is eligible and how to apply, visit OTDA’s Summer EBT webpage.  

Summer EBT benefits are being issued in phases beginning late last month and continuing through October. For the most up-to-date information on benefit issuance, click here. 

Summer Meals Are Here: Help Families Find Nearby Sites

Hundreds of schools and community organizations are serving free, healthy meals at thousands of sites across the state through the USDA's Summer Food Service Program. Most sites are “open” sites, where there is no sign-up or paperwork required; kids and teens aged 18 and under can just drop by when meals are served.

Families can use the following tools to find sites near them: 

• Text “food” to 304-304
• Use the map on SummerMealsNY.org 
• Call 211 or 1-866-3-HUNGRY

Promote summer meals using free, easy-to-use resources, including flyers in English and Spanish, sample social media posts, graphics you can add to your website and e-news, and more.