THIS IS PERTAINING TO THE WIC SITUATION, PLEASE READ

[Guest guest]

I just thought I'd let you all know that I contacted the Physicians

Committee for Responsible Medicine about the issue concerning WIC not

having soy products available to the consumer. I wanted to share with

you the letter that they wrote me back. I'd also really appriciate if

you all wouldn't mind clicking on the link below in the letter to

send a vote to the Senator about the FARM BILL. Thank you all!

Racheal

_________________

Dear Ms. Coote,

 

Thank you for your inquiry. I apologize for the delayed response.

I'm very sorry to hear of your frustration with the WIC program. We

certainly agree with you 100 percent that the foods offered by the

WIC program need to be revised. With the growing number of both

adults and children who suffer from obesity and associated diseases

such as diabetes and heart disease, high fat foods such as eggs,

milk, peanut butter, and cheese are certainly not needed. You may be

pleased to know that this is something we are working to change.

 

Right now, a key piece of legislation known as the Farm Bill is up

for revision and renewal. This bill outlines guidelines for which

crops the government purchases as commodity foods, which are then

distributed through food assistance programs such as WIC, the

National School Lunch Program, etc. It is based mostly on economics,

so for instance, when cheese prices fall, the government buys up

millions of dollars worth, and then distributes it through these

programs. Right now, we are trying to encourage members of congress

to support changes to the bill that allow for more fruit and

vegetable commodity purchases, allow non-dairy beverages, and make

the health needs of constituents the guiding factor for foods

provided by these programs.

 

It will probably be a long, hard battle for us, but hopefully we

will see some positive changes to the bill this year. It may not

happen all at once, but every little bit will certainly help and you

can be assured that this is something we continue to support in the

future. We can always use your help too. The best people for members

of Congress to hear from are their own state residents. I encourage

you to check out the following link, where you can send an e-mail to

your Senator about these issues. It's very easy – the text is already

there for you! https://secure2.convio.net/pcrm/site/Advocacy?

pagename=homepage & page=UserAction & id=139 & AddInterest=2601 & JServSession

Idr009=yc9tgcl5d1.app14a

 

 

Thank you again for contacting us. Take care, and please let me know

if you have any further questions.

 

Best regards,

 

Patty Slowik

Nutrition Program Coordinator & Physician Liaison

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

5100 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 400

Washington, DC 20016

Phone: (202) 686-2210 ext.338

Fax: (202) 686-2216

www.pcrm.org