CNMI WIC program nutrition services coordinator Erin Angela Camacho said since Oct. 1, the WIC-approved stores have been accepting the food instruments and cash value vouchers with the new food package.
“The participants have had very positive comments with the change,” Camacho said.
WIC clinic manager Dianne C. Esplin earlier described the revised food packages as long been overdue.
The previous food packages included imported fruit and vegetables. These were replaced with cash vouchers to be exchanged for locally produced fruit and vegetables from authorized farmer’s markets and WIC-approved stores.
The food packages for WIC beneficiaries amount to about $60 a month, with cash vouchers for fresh fruit and vegetables ranging from $6 to $10.
Last month, WIC served a total of 5,121 certified participants on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
The 4,644 participants from Saipan comprised of 1,028 women, 842 infants and 2,774 children.
Tinian’s 263 participants comprised 51 women, 40 infants and 172 children.
The 214 participants from Rota included 41 women, 40 infants and 133 children.
Camacho said the September program statistics show a total of 163 exclusively nursing or fully breastfed infants, and 293 partial nursing (both breastfeeding and formula feeding) on the three islands.
Camacho said in line with observing October as Cancer Awareness Month, the WIC program will be participating in a series of events, including presentations on breastfeeding at three women’s forums to be held separately on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
