TABLE 2-15Redemption of WIC Foods, 2013–2016

WIC Food CategoryAverage Percent Redemption (Range)Relevant Food Package(s)
Infant formula94 (88–98)a,b,cI, II
Eggs80 (71–85)eIV through VII
Cash value voucher77 (69–89)eIV through VII
Whole milk75 (63–84)a,b,dIV-Ah
Juice70 (53–80)eIV through VII
Cheese70 (54–80)a,b,d,fIV through VII
Fish69 (54–65)eVII
WIC-eligible medical foods66 (57–75)a,gAll packages
Low-fat milk65 (49–75)eIV-Bi through VII
Breakfast cereal60 (46–69)eIV through VII
Whole grain bread53 (39–65)eIV through V and VII
Infant food fruits/vegetables51 (34–65)a,b,d,gII
Peanut butter/legumes51 (44–66)eIV through VII
Infant cereal47 (38–59)a,b,d,gII
Infant food meats31 (24–43)a,b,d,f,gII

NOTES: The following prioritization was applied to select redemption rates for the current food package nutrient and cost profiles: First priority = the average of redemption data from 5 unidentified states, provided to the committee by FNS; if not available, second priority = the average of redemption data provided to the committee by individual states. Data span several months or an entire year, but provide a general picture of the typical food category redemption. The “average percent redemption” indicates the value applied in the nutrient and cost profiles, with the source indicated by superscript. The range indicates the range considering all values made available to the committee.

a

Average and range include data from Massachusetts for 2015.

b

Average and range include data from Kentucky for 2015.

c

Average and range include data from California for 2015.

d

Average and range include data from Chickasaw Nation for 2015.

e

Average represents the average of redemption from 5 unidentified states, fiscal year 2013–2014, data provided by USDA-FNS. A description of this data source is available in Chapter 7 and Appendix R. Range includes data from all sources made available to the committee.

f

Average and range include data from Texas for 2015.

g

Average and range include data from Wyoming, late 2015 to early 2016.

h

Food package IV-A is for children ages 1 to less than 2 years.

i

Food package IV-B is for children ages 2 to less than 5 years.

SOURCES: USDA/ERS, 2014b; other data referenced are available in the public access file for this study (Email: paro@nas​.edu).

From: 2, The WIC Program: Changes Since the Last Review and Continuing Challenges

Cover of Review of WIC Food Packages
Review of WIC Food Packages: Improving Balance and Choice: Final Report.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review WIC Food Packages.
Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2017 May 1.
Copyright 2017 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

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