We received notice from the United States Department of Agriculture that the state plans for both the Arizona WIC Program and the Arizona Nutrition Network were approved for federal fiscal Year 2016. While USDA has not yet finalized the budget for the coming year, the Arizona WIC Program was funded for more than $130 million in federal fiscal Year 2015. The Arizona Nutrition Network’s budget for federal fiscal Year 2016 is $13.1 million, with nearly three quarters of the funds being distributed to local programs to provide services.
WIC is a free nutrition and breastfeeding program that provides personalized nutrition tips and support for parents and caregivers; breastfeeding information, support and resources; and healthy foods to more than 150,000 participants every month. Take a look at the goals and objectives that were included in the WIC State Plan, as they are key to our efforts to decrease overweight and obesity throughout Arizona. Obesity is one of our leading issues for the Arizona State Health Improvement Plan.
The Arizona Nutrition Network focuses on promoting healthy eating habits and physically active lifestyles for people eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The Network provides comprehensive, evidence-based nutrition education in communities and also uses public health approaches to prevent obesity.
Special thanks to the staff in the Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity who worked hard to complete these detailed plans for providing valuable public health nutrition services to low income families in Arizona.
Actually many people knowing the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.
Breastfeeding provides many health, nutritional, economical and emotional benefits to mother and baby. Since a major goal of the WIC Program is to improve the nutritional status of infants, WIC mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their infants.
USDA is doing a fantastic job! Proper nutrition has to be given to pregnant mothers and children. Both of these points are missing in Indian villages. Government of India should also do something similar. Although it has started some good initiatives such as Mid Day Meals in Schools. I visited India this year so I could share some thoughts.
Thank you.