Satisfaction of California WIC participants with food package changes

Abstract

Objective: Assess California Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participant satisfaction with the 2009 food package revisions and compare satisfaction based on language preference and timing of WIC enrollment relative to the revisions.

Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews of 2,996 WIC participants in 2010.

Results: Most participants (91.3%) were satisfied with checks for new WIC foods (fruits/vegetables, whole grains, and lower-fat milk) and 82.7% of participants were satisfied with amounts of foods that were reduced in the revised food package (milk, cheese, eggs, and juice). Difficulty using new checks was reported by 13.7% of participants. Compared with English-speaking participants, a higher percentage of Spanish speakers reported satisfaction (P < .01) and a lower percentage reported difficulties using checks (P < .001). A higher percentage of newer enrollees reported satisfaction compared with those participating in WIC before the revisions (P < .01).

Conclusions and implications: This research suggests that recent policy change to the WIC food package improves WIC participant access to healthful food options without decreasing satisfaction.

Keywords: Women, Infant, and Child; nutrition policy; patient satisfaction.