BY JOE STUMPE The Wichita Eagle
For decades, the federal government has said one thing and done another when it comes to the diets of the youngest at-risk children.
The government's familiar food pyramid touts the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables.
But food checks distributed as part of the federal Women, Infants and Children program can't be used to buy those foods.
That is expected to change in 19 months, when details of proposed WIC adjustments have been worked out at the state level, where the program is administered.
The proposed changes include women and children getting money to buy fruits and vegetables -- about $8 to $10 a month for women and $6 a month for children.
"This is the biggest change that has happened to the WIC program in decades," said David Thomason, a state health department employee and director of Kansas' WIC program. "This is a major, major change."
And it's not the only one. Other changes on tap in the WIC program include:
• Baby foods and more whole-grain products such as bread and tortillas will be eligible for purchase with WIC vouchers for the first time.
• WIC participants will get less milk, cheese, eggs and juice.
• The program will increase its emphasis on breast-feeding by offering more incentives for breast-feeding mothers.
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