Fruits & veggies voucher increase expands nutritional access for WIC families

LEE COUNTY, Fla. – State WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Agencies were authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act to enhance the WIC benefit, expanding the fruits and vegetables voucher for a period of four months.

The voucher, known as the Cash Value Benefit (CVB), was expanded from $9/month for children and $11/month for women to $35 per month, per participant, according to the Lee County Department of Health.

Officials have credited the CVB for improving the dietary quality of WIC participants and reducing the prevalence of childhood obesity.

The CVB increase will be implemented by Florida WIC starting June 1, 2021 until September 30, 2021.

The voucher applies to all fruits and vegetables, fresh, frozen or canned as well as any brand, variety, size, with no added sugar, syrup, artificial sweeteners, fat or oil. Organic fruits and vegetables are allowed.

Click here for more information on the enrollment and eligibility for the WIC program.

To schedule a WIC appointment or for breastfeeding assistance, call 239-344-2000.

The post Fruits & veggies voucher increase expands nutritional access for WIC families appeared first on NBC2 News.

NBC2 (WBBH-TV)