Missouri's WIC switches to store brands amid rising food prices

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- In the wake of higher food prices and more Missourians needing help, a federally-funded program to help women and children is switching to store-brand foods.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' Bureau of Women's, Infants and Children and Nutrition Services Monday announced changes to the WIC food list.

Store-brand cereals and frozen juices will replace more-expensive name-brand products or products that have costlier forms or packaging, such as juice in plastic bottles.

The changes are effective Thursday.

WIC and Nutrition Services chief Lyn Konstant said food prices have risen by 10 percent in the past six months, while WIC participation rose 4 percent.

Konstant said that the program operates on a fixed annual budget.

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On the Net:

WIC provider map: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/wic/WICAgencies--Map.html

For more information on WIC visit http://www.dhss.mo.gov/wic/index.html