Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Fruit And Veggie Benefit For Low-Income Families Extended Through March
The current $9 per child and $11 per adult a month benefit produce pays for less than one serving of fruits or vegetables per day.
(
Mariana Dale/LAist
)
Legislation that President Joe Biden signed last week to keep the government funded through early 2022 also extends a benefit that helps hundreds of thousands of low-income L.A. families buy more fruits and vegetables.
For more than a decade, WIC’s monthly budget for produce has been $9 dollars per child and $11 for moms. During the pandemic Congress more than tripled that amount, but the expansion was set to expire at the end of the year.
“Feeding children healthy food is not a partisan issue,” said Shannon Whaley, who directs research and evaluation at Heluna Health’s PHFE WIC. “I think right now it's important to be reminded, all families, all children, all pregnant women really deserve access to healthy food.”
Listen
• 0:58
Fruit And Veggie Benefit For Low-Income Families Extended Through March
Support for LAist comes from
PHFE WIC is the largest program in the country and serves more than 200,000 families across Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties.
To qualify, participants must be:
- pregnant
- postpartum
- breastfeeding
- or a child 5 years old or younger
Feeding children healthy food is not a partisan issue. I think right now it's important to be reminded, all families, all children, all pregnant women really deserve access to healthy food.
— Shannon Whaley, Heluna Health’s PHFE WIC.
The income cap for WIC is 185% of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, that’s $40,626 a year. Each month WIC participants get certain foods, including grains, dairy, peanut butter and eggs for free and a set amount to spend on fresh, frozen and produce.
“As an example, if you're a pregnant mom with a 2-year-old, you're now getting $67 a month to buy fruits and vegetables,” Whaley said of the expanded produce benefit. “If we revert to the old way, that's $20 a month for that same household and the discrepancy there is just stark.”
Temporary Extensions
The latest continuing resolution funds the government through February 18, 2022, but per the National WIC Association, a provision extends the higher produce benefit through March 2022.
Support for LAist comes from
“We'll be right back there next February, because we're really going to want to extend it and make it permanent,” Whaley said.
Some California lawmakers say they would support changes to the nutrition program.
“While I’m glad Congress was able to agree on a continuing resolution that ensures we can keep our promises to those still getting back on their feet, we must act quickly to achieve a long-term funding agreement so that families aren’t worrying about how they’re going to keep healthy food on the table,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat who represents parts of Los Angeles, Glendale and Burbank in an emailed statement.
San Gabriel Valley Democratic Rep. Judy Chu called for an update to WIC in an emailed statement to LAist.
“We know this funding works and, especially as need has risen over the past two years of pandemic and recession, it must be made available to all families who need it, not just temporarily but until they have their needs met,” Chu’s statement read.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts. -
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.
-
The budget gap has led to a tuition hike, along with spending cuts and fewer course offerings. At the same time, generative AI already has transformed higher ed — including post-grad job prospects.
-
The construction work is part of a $143.7 million plan to rehabilitate pavement between Van Nuys and Westwood along the Sepulveda Pass.
Best of LAist