Trump proposes cutting WIC fruit/vegetable benefits by 62-75%

President Trump's fiscal year 2026 budget proposed cutting WIC cash value benefits (CVB) for fruits and vegetables from $26 to $10 monthly for children (62% reduction) and from $52 to $13 monthly for breastfeeding participants (75% reduction), directly affecting how 5.2 million families purchase produce at grocery stores and farmers markets (CBPP analysis, USDA FNS benefit tables).

Elisabet Eppes at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities calculated that Trump's proposal would strip more than $1.3 billion in fruit and vegetable purchasing power from 5.2 million WIC participants including pregnant women, new mothers, breastfeeding participants, infants, and young children during critical developmental years when nutrition determines lifelong health outcomes (CBPP, NWNational WIC Association).

Trump's proposal came through the presidential budget request process—a 'wish list' requiring Congressional approval—giving Congress the power to reject cuts through the appropriations process controlled by House and Senate Appropriations Committees under Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution (Congressional appropriations process documentation).

The Senate passed legislation providing $8.2 billion for WIC in fiscal year 2026, an increase over the $7.6 billion appropriated in fiscal year 2025 and significantly above Trump's proposed $7.3 billion, protecting fruit and vegetable benefits while the HAHouse Appropriations Committee initially proposed funding at previous year's levels before final negotiations increased funding (CBPP Congressional analysis, NWNational WIC Association, Senate appropriations reports).

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins testified to Congress affirming her commitment to full WIC funding and confirmed that WIC would be updated to reflect new Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030, while simultaneously approving state SNAP waivers restricting food purchases under the 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative—showing tensions between nutrition rhetoric and funding proposals (USDA press releases, Senate confirmation testimony).

Economic research demonstrates WIC produces $2.48 in societal returns for every dollar invested by preventing preterm births (saving $46,118 per preterm birth prevented), reducing infant mortality, decreasing iron deficiency anemia, improving birth outcomes, and cutting expensive emergency room visits and chronic disease treatment costs that exceed prevention program spending (NIH/NCBI studies, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health).

WIC's Farmers Market Nutrition Program generated over $19 million in fiscal year 2018 for nearly 17,000 small farmers across 3,390 farmers markets and 2,894 roadside stands, with 50% of 🌲Washington State farmers reporting that WIC revenue determines whether they participate in farmers markets—proposed cuts would eliminate an estimated 300 summer farm jobs while forcing participants toward cheaper, less nutritious processed foods (USDA FNS FMNP reports, Farmers Market Coalition).

The NWNational WIC Association noted that Trump's budget request 'falls short of the Administration's commitment to Make America Healthy Again' by depriving young children of essential nutrients during critical developmental windows while USDA data shows WIC children now eat an additional 1/4 cup of fruits and vegetables daily due to current benefit levels—cutting benefits would reverse documented health improvements in child nutrition and eating habits (National WIC Association statements, USDA nutrition outcome data).