President Trump’s proposed federal budget includes a devastating blow to WIC. The proposal would slash the monthly fruit and vegetable benefit by two-thirds, dropping support for children from $26 to just $10 a month, and for pregnant and postpartum women from $47–$52 down to $13. This dramatic reduction would make it nearly impossible for families to afford a healthy amount of fruits and vegetables each month—despite overwhelming evidence of their importance for maternal and child health.
In Congress, the House Appropriations Committee has put forward a separate budget proposal that includes a smaller—but still deeply concerning—10% cut to the fruit and vegetable benefit. While not as severe as the Trump administration’s proposal, the House bill frames the reduction as a way “to begin a reset to pre-COVID levels.” That rationale ignores what we’ve learned before, during and since the pandemic: that increased fruit and vegetable benefits have significantly improved dietary quality, supported healthier pregnancies, and helped reduce the risk of obesity in young children.
These benefits were not a temporary emergency fix—they are a vital, evidence-based investment in maternal and child health. Rolling them back, in any amount, is a step in the wrong direction.
WIC’s registered dietitians routinely emphasize the role of produce in preventing nutrient deficiencies—especially critical in the early years of brain development and during pregnancy. The proposed cuts fly in the face of evidence-based recommendations and would actively undermine the nutrition counseling that families receive from WIC providers.
For California, the stakes are even higher. Our state is home to the largest WIC population in the nation, as well as a massive agricultural industry that benefits from WIC’s produce purchasing power. Last year, California WIC families spent $258,294,192 on fruits and vegetables at local grocery stores, corner markets, and farmers’ markets. These purchases not only nourish families—they also support local economies. A cut of this magnitude would cause ripple effects throughout California’s food system, hurting small retailers, grocers, and the farmers who grow the produce. The $26 child benefit and the $52 postpartum benefit help families bring home a meaningful quantity of fresh food—cutting that down to just a few dollars a week will certainly suppress demand and hurt vendors who have come to rely on these purchases.
This proposal also contradicts the Trump administration’s own stated goals under its “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) vision. If the goal is to promote health, reduce long-term medical costs, and strengthen families, this budget sends the opposite message. Removing access to fresh, healthy food will only worsen health outcomes—particularly in communities already struggling with inequities in food access and healthcare.
Now more than ever, policymakers must recognize that investments in maternal and child health are foundational to strong communities. Gutting WIC’s fruit and vegetable benefit is not only short-sighted—it’s dangerous. Families deserve better, and California’s health, food, and agricultural leaders should stand together in opposition to this harmful proposal.
