Preferences and Perceived Value of WIC Foods Among WIC Caregivers
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate preferences for and values of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) foods and packages and understand what factors may influence these preferences and values.


DESIGN
Using a mixed-methods approach, surveys and individual in-depth interviews were conducted to measure and understand preferences for specific WIC foods and how much WIC food packages are worth to participants.


SETTING
Eight WIC clinics across Illinois.


PARTICIPANTS
Caregivers of infants enrolled in WIC for at least 3-6 months.


PHENOMENON OF INTEREST
Preferences for WIC foods, WIC food package values, and factors that influence these categories.


ANALYSIS
Frequencies were gathered to analyze survey data and interview transcripts were analyzed using constant comparative analysis to identify emergent themes.


RESULTS
Survey (n = 150) and interview (n = 31) participants valued the food packages in WIC but they valued the infant packages more. The cash value fruit and vegetable voucher increased the perceived value of the program for many participants. Restrictions on food choice preferences (eg, type of milk) detracted value from the program.


CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
This study shows that providing more choice in the program could improve satisfaction with WIC overall. More research is warranted with a more representative sample to assess whether expanded food choice would improve value of and preference for WIC foods.
['Weber|Summer|S|', 'Uesugi|Keriann|K|', 'Greene|Haley|H|', 'Bess|Stephanie|S|', 'Reese|LaShon|L|', 'Odoms-Young|Angela|A|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D005260:Female D063105:Food Assistance D005518:Food Preferences D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice D006801:Humans D007087:Illinois D007223:Infant D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D011203:Poverty D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D055815:Young Adult
WIC food preferences low income retention