Impact of WIC program participation on food expenditures

This paper investigates the relationship between WIC program participation and purchases of WIC related food. Nielsen Homescan data 2008 to 2010 provide unique information with food expenditures including details on household’s demographics and reported WIC participation status. Using scanner data, we assess how participation in the WIC program relates to food expenditures by WIC eligible (but not participating) and by WIC participating households. The research includes a comparison of select food purchases between eligible WIC reporting and eligible WIC not-reporting households during the period of introduction of changes in the WIC food package. Specific foods and food groups of interest for the analysis include whole grain products.