Satisfaction of California WIC participants with food package changes.

OBJECTIVE: Assess California Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participant satisfaction with the 2009 food package revisions and compare satisfaction based on language preference and timing of WIC enrollment relative to the revisions. METHODS: Computer-assisted telephone interviews of 2,996 WIC participants in 2010. RESULTS: Most participants (91.3%) were satisfied with checks for new WIC foods (fruits/vegetables, whole grains, and lower-fat milk) and 82.7% of participants were satisfied with amounts of foods that were reduced in the revised food package (milk, cheese, eggs, and juice). Difficulty using new checks was reported by 13.7% of participants. Compared with English-speaking participants, a higher percentage of Spanish speakers reported satisfaction (P < .01) and a lower percentage reported difficulties using checks (P < .001). A higher percentage of newer enrollees reported satisfaction compared with those participating in WIC before the revisions (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This research suggests that recent policy change to the WIC food package improves WIC participant access to healthful food options without decreasing satisfaction.

Mothers prefer fresh fruits and vegetables over jarred baby fruits and vegetables in the new Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children food package.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participant use and satisfaction with jarred baby foods, assessed preference for cash value vouchers (CVVs) for fruits and vegetables vs jarred baby foods, and examined whether preferences varied among selected ethnic groups. METHODS: A survey of California WIC participants and statewide redemption data were used. RESULTS: Participants reported high satisfaction with the CVV for fruits and vegetables and jarred baby foods, with statistically significant variation across ethnic groups. About two thirds of all participants reported a preference for CVVs for fruits and vegetables over jarred baby foods. Redemption data indicated declining redemption rates for jarred fruits and vegetables with increasing age of the infant across all ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Although the addition of jarred fruits and vegetables to the food package for infants ages 6-11 months was well received, many caregivers want the option to choose between jarred foods and fresh fruits and vegetables.