This rule increases the amount of cash value vouchers from $8.00 to $10.00 issued to pregnant, postpartum and partially breastfeeding women participants for the purchase of fruits and vegetables as part of the WIC food packages. In the ``WIC Food Package'' interim rule published December 6, 2007, the Department was not able to provide all women participants fruit and vegetable cash value vouchers at the level recommended by the National Academies' Institute of Medicine (IOM). To be cost neutral, only fully breastfeeding women were provided the IOM recommended amount of $10.00 per month fruit and vegetable cash value vouchers; all other women participants were provided $8.00 per month fruit and vegetable cash value vouchers. This rule amends the interim rule to provide all Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) women participants with $10.00 per month fruit and vegetable cash value vouchers, consistent with IOM's recommendations. The Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 111-80), enacted on October 21, 2009, provides the funding for this increase.

Effective Date: This rule is effective on December 31, 2009. State agencies may begin applying the provisions set forth in this rule beginning October 21, 2009.
Implementation Date: State agencies must implement the provisions of this rule no later than April 30, 2010.
Comment Date: To be considered, comments on this interim rule must be postmarked on or before February 1, 2010.

The Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, invites interested persons to submit comments on this interim rule. Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:

• Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov . Preferred method; follow the online instructions for submitting comments on docket FNS-2006-0037.

• Mail: Comments should be addressed to Debra Whitford, Director, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 528, Alexandria, Virginia
  22302, (703) 305-2746.

• Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver comments to Debra Whitford, Director, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 528, Alexandria,
  Virginia 22302, (703) 305-2746. Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

All comments submitted in response to this interim rule will be included in the record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the substance of the comments and the identity of the
individuals or entities submitting the comments will be subject to public disclosure. FNS will make the comments publicly available on the Internet via http://www.regulations.gov .