May 21, 2007
(Coto, Charlotte Observer, 5/21/07)

Federal officials are revising menu options for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutritional program to better meet the dietary needs of racial and ethnic minority groups, the Charlotte Observer reports. Officials have developed a plan calling for less milk, juice and cheese and more fruits, vegetables and grains. Other proposals urge the addition of tortillas, yams, dried beans, canned fish and other items aimed at better serving the program's more than 3 million Hispanic participants. Officials note that providing more nondairy options also will allow women from Southeast Asia, who typically do not consume much milk or cheese, to maintain healthy diets. Thus far, more than 10,000 people have posted comments about the proposed changes on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Web site. Federal officials continue to review the input and likely will approve changes later this year to achieve a more culturally attuned WIC menu.