TABLE 7-4Comparison of the Food Package Costs with Rebates as Redeemed, Current and Revised Food Packages for Mother–Infant Dyads

Participant CategoryFully BreastfeedingPartially BreastfeedingFully Formula Feeding
Cost per MonthNumber of MonthsCost per Year 1Cost per MonthNumber of MonthsCost per Year 1Cost per MonthNumber of MonthsCost per Year 1
Current Food Package
Mother$47.4112$568.94$36.6812$440.20$29.776$178.58
Infant, 0≤1 months$0.001$0.00$6.481$6.48$53.681$53.68
Infant, 1–3 months$0.003$0.00$26.443$79.31$53.683$161.04
Infant, 4–5 months$0.002$0.00$31.802$63.59$59.102$118.21
Infant, 6–11 months$34.236$205.38$36.896$221.33$56.346$338.04
Total Cost$774.32$810.92$849.56
Revised Food Package
Mother$55.1112$661.28$43.9312$527.10$30.106$180.60
Infant, 0≤1 months$0.001$0.00$6.481$6.48$53.681$53.68
Infant, 1–3 months$0.003$0.00$26.443$79.31$53.683$161.04
Infant, 4–5 months$0.002$0.00$31.802$63.59$59.102$118.21
Infant, 6–11 months$22.176$132.99$38.036$228.17$57.486$344.88
Total Cost$794.28$904.65$858.41

NOTES: Prices were from the USDA-FNS redemption dataset, with the exception of infant formula, yogurt, and revised package whole wheat bread and alternatives, which were from IRI 2014. All prices were adjusted to FY2015.

SOURCES: Personal communication, K. Castellanos-Brown, USDA-FNS, April 7, 2016, and June 30, 2016; BLS, 2016; 2014 IRI Consumer Network Database.

From: 7, Evaluation of Cost

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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