This USDA Program is Looking to Make Vegan Dairy More Accessible
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) just proposed that additional vegan dairy products should be included in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). This program aims to support the health and general well-being of women and children nationwide that suffer from nutritional deficiencies or food insecurity.
The proposed measures will increase the level of dairy and eggs provided to WIC users, but the USDA included plant-based alternatives to give users a choice to eat plant-based. The USDA will include product substitutes such as soy yogurt and vegan cheese as well as tofu to supplement the eggs.
The program also intends to expand its general food offerings. For example, the USDA will expand the whole wheat grains category to include whole wheat bagels, blue cornmeal, quinoa, and teff. WIC will also provide three to four times more vegetable and fruit supplements as well as access to beans as a protein source rather than solely meat.
“For the more than 6 million moms, babies, and young children who participate in WIC — and the millions more eligible to participate — these proposed revisions have the potential to make positive, life-long impacts on health and well-being,” Stacy Dean, USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, said.
Read More: This USDA Program is Looking to Make Vegan Dairy More Accessible | The Beet | This USDA Program is Looking to Make Vegan Dairy More Accessible | The Beet
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) just proposed that additional vegan dairy products should be included in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). This program aims to support the health and general well-being of women and children nationwide that suffer from nutritional deficiencies or food insecurity.
The proposed measures will increase the level of dairy and eggs provided to WIC users, but the USDA included plant-based alternatives to give users a choice to eat plant-based. The USDA will include product substitutes such as soy yogurt and vegan cheese as well as tofu to supplement the eggs.
The program also intends to expand its general food offerings. For example, the USDA will expand the whole wheat grains category to include whole wheat bagels, blue cornmeal, quinoa, and teff. WIC will also provide three to four times more vegetable and fruit supplements as well as access to beans as a protein source rather than solely meat.
“For the more than 6 million moms, babies, and young children who participate in WIC — and the millions more eligible to participate — these proposed revisions have the potential to make positive, life-long impacts on health and well-being,” Stacy Dean, USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, said.
Read More: This USDA Program is Looking to Make Vegan Dairy More Accessible | The Beet | This USDA Program is Looking to Make Vegan Dairy More Accessible | The Beet
