Release No. 0341.99

Jim Borland (202) 690-0469
jim.borland@usda.gov

John Webster (202) 418-2312
john.webster@usda.gov

USDA RELEASES STUDIES OF NEW THRIFTY FOOD PLAN, NUTRITIONAL
STATUS OF WIC PARTICIPANTS

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 1999 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today released two studies on USDA's nutrition assistance programs: the new Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), 1999, which has a direct impact on the Food Stamp Program, and the Review of the Nutritional Status of WIC Participants. 

"The health of all Americans is directly dependent on the food we eat," said Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman. "It is for that most basic of reasons that we periodically review our nutrition assistance programs to ensure that they provide both the quantity and quality of foods needed to live a healthy, productive life."

The new Thrifty Food Plan, 1999, results from an in-depth analysis conducted by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. The revised TFP provides food stamp recipients with a new market basket of food items, menus, and recipes that conform to current dietary guidance. The study also notes that current food stamp allotments are sufficient to purchase a
nutritious diet which conforms to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Recommended Dietary Allowances, and the serving recommendations of the Food Guide Pyramid.

"I am pleased that we have been able to develop a new Thrifty Food Plan that meets current dietary guidance and stays within the financial constraints of the current food stamp allotment," said Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Shirley Watkins. "The challenge before us now is to provide food stamp recipients with nutrition education on meal planning, purchasing and preparation." 

In a separate report titled Review of the Nutritional Status of WIC Participants, USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion analyzed the nutrient intake of beneficiaries from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), to determine how well they meet current nutrient standards. The WIC program provides supplemental foods for
pregnant, postpartum, and nursing mothers and their infants and children from 1 to 5 years old, and teaches mothers how to achieve balanced diets.

Infants and children generally met all nutrient recommendations, with the exception those for zinc, which was low in children ages 1 to 4, and added sugar, which was double the recommended level in children ages 1 to 4. For both pregnant and postpartum WIC mothers, shortfalls were seen in total caloric intake, iron, calcium, Vitamin C, zinc, and magnesium. Pregnant women
were found to not consume the recommended amount of folic acid. The study concludes that in many cases women are not consuming the amount of nutrients that are available in the WIC packages. This may be the result of their not consuming all of the foods furnished in their packages, or not purchasing the entire food package. 

"I continue to be concerned with the need to help WIC recipients, particularly mothers, as they struggle to provide adequate nourishment to themselves and their children," Glickman said. "WIC clinics make every effort to educate low-income mothers about proper nutrition for themselves and their babies. Yet, there remains a need to improve nutrition education."

"Our concern is not limited to just low-income families," said Glickman. "With high levels of adult and childhood obesity in the general population, we could all benefit from a refresher course in nutrition education. At USDA, we will continue to look for creative ways to improve the diet of all Americans through improved nutrition messages." 

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