A federal nutrition program for low-income women who recently gave birth will temporarily increase its vegetable and fruit cash benefits to $ 35 per month per participant. Previously, the benefit was capped at $ 11 per month per mother and $ 9 per month per child under 4 years of age. Dykibra Gaskin is the director of the public health nutrition program in Leon, Franklin, Wakulla, Madison, Jefferson, and Taylor counties. She says more than 4,000 families in the area will benefit from the change.
“This is something that is so important. Especially when you think of food deserts, access to fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy foods have been a persistent problem. So it’s really good to see this expansion so people can have more fruits and vegetables can get vegetables, “says Gaskin.
The program, known as WIC, receives additional dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act. WIC allows families to purchase other food groups, but the amount is limited. While with fruits and vegetables, the benefit is limited to a dollar amount. The extension of the WIC benefits begins on June 1st and ends on September 30th.
