California WIC Association

04/24/2026

This op-ed is from nearly a year ago, yet we find ourselves back in the same place once again. President Trump has proposed to cut the WIC fruit and vegetable benefit by ~70%, and House Republicans have proposed an appropriations bill that would cut the WIC fruit and vegetable benefit by 10% as a first step toward that reduction. These proposed cuts put California families' health and food security at risk.

“These benefits nourish expecting parents and children and sustain small businesses, retailers and farms.”

04/20/2026

AB 2160 is likely heading to the “Suspense File”—a key moment in the legislative process.

This bill will strengthen access to lactation services for Medi-Cal families, but it needs strong support to move forward.

📩 Letters of support matter—especially at this stage.
📝 Use our template to make it easy
📅 Submit by May 8th.

Help us get AB 2160 off Suspense and improve access to care for Medi-Cal families.

🔗 Template letter and submission instructions: https://calwic.org/breastfeeding-policy/support-ab-2160-strengthening-breastfeeding-support-for-california-families/

04/20/2026

"If we are truly committed to justice, we must protect families from systems that substitute marketing for care."

- Kiddada Green, MAT, Founding Executive Director, Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Association

https://www.momsrising.org/blog/rooted-in-justice-and-joy-means-protecting-black-families-from-predatory-marketing

04/17/2026

About 5.4 million parents and children in WIC could see fruit and vegetable benefits cut to just $10–13 per month under President Trump’s FY27 budget, reducing support to about 19% of recommended intake for children.

Advocates warn Trump’s budget would deeply cut WIC benefits, reducing access to fruits and vegetables for 5.4M parents and children.

04/14/2026

Happy Black Maternal Health Week!

Despite progress, 84% of Black maternal and infant deaths are preventable. That’s the urgent message behind “The Best Gift,” a powerful PSA campaign from Gray Bayne Film and Media, supported by L.A. Care Health Plan through its GAAINS initiative.

Launched on Mother’s Day 2025, the three-part series highlights preventable risks:
• Delayed diagnosis of pregnancy complications
• Lack of access to postpartum care
• The impacts of chronic stress

Thursday, May 15, 2025 “The Best Gift” was produced by Gray Bayne Film and Media and shinesa light on three preventable risk factors contributing to these health disparitiesDespite continued advancements in maternal healthcare and policies, 84% of Black maternal and infant deaths are preventable...

04/14/2026

Last year Congress rejected the President's proposal to cut the WIC fruit and vegetable benefit by ~70%, and they must reject it again this year!

President Trump’s fiscal year 2027 budget calls for sharply reducing the fruit and vegetable component of WIC’s food benefits for new and expecting parents and young children. We estimate the proposed cut would take away $1.4 billion in fruit and vegetable benefits from about 5.4 million parents...

04/13/2026

AB 2160 is moving forward! 🎉

The bill now heads to Assembly Appropriations, where it will likely be placed on the “suspense file”—a process where bills with fiscal impact are held and later decided together. Strong support will be key to getting it out of suspense.

👉 Take action by May 8th: Submit a letter of support using our template and submission instructions. https://calwic.org/breastfeeding-policy/support-ab-2160-strengthening-breastfeeding-support-for-california-families/

Your voice can help move AB 2160 forward!

04/08/2026

Check out our latest CWA Flash newsletter! https://calwic.org/cwa-flash/flash-enews-4-8-26/

04/08/2026

AB 2160 is one step closer to becoming law! 🎉
Today, the bill passed the Assembly Health Committee on consent with unanimous support—an important milestone that reflects strong agreement on the need to expand access to lactation services through Medi-Cal.
Thank you to everyone who has helped get us here. Next stop: Assembly Appropriations—let’s keep the momentum going! 💪

04/06/2026

AB 2160 will be heard tomorrow in the Assembly Health Committee—and it has been placed on the consent calendar.

What does that mean? It is good news! The consent calendar is used for bills that are considered noncontroversial and expected to pass unanimously. These bills are typically voted on together in one motion, without individual discussion.

Because of this, there will likely not be an opportunity for public comment during the hearing for AB 2160.

We’ll continue to keep you updated as the bill moves forward—thank you for your ongoing support!

04/06/2026

Last week the White House released President Trump’s budget request for fiscal year 2027, which proposes to reduce the monthly fruit and vegetable benefits from $54 to $13 for breastfeeding mothers and from $27 to $10 for young children.

This proposal would mean fewer fresh, healthy foods for families who rely on this critical support. The WIC program helps parents put fruits and vegetables on the table during some of the most important years of a child’s development—when nutrition has lifelong impacts. Reducing this benefit doesn’t just shrink grocery budgets; it undermines maternal and child health, increases food insecurity, and widens health disparities. Families deserve access to the foods they need to thrive.

04/06/2026

The National WIC Association strongly opposes the Trump Administration’s FY27 budget proposal, which would significantly cut WIC’s fruit and vegetable benefits and threaten access to nutritious foods for millions of low-income families. The proposed reductions would reverse recent gains in mater...