2024 Minnesota WIC Month Proclamation

The proclamation will be posted to the Proclamations from Governor Tim Walz website.

WHEREAS: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) ensures that low-income mothers and their young children have the specialized nutrition, resources, and referrals they need to thrive; and

WHEREAS: Since its inception in 1974, the number of WIC program participants has expanded from an average of 88,000 participants per month to nearly 6.7 million participants today. Now, the program serves just under half of all infants born in the United States; and

WHEREAS: Participation in WIC prenatally improves birth outcomes and has been shown to lessen childhood anemia, infant mortality, premature births, low birth weight, and other problems related to nutrition those who are pregnant or breastfeeding and their infants and children under the age of five; and

WHEREAS: The WIC program has adapted to changing health needs and expanded its services to become a crucial part of the nation’s public health infrastructure and is vital to the well-being of families throughout our communities; and

WHEREAS: Minnesota ranks within the top five states nationwide for WIC coverage of eligible participants – in 2022, Minnesota WIC served 38% of all infants born in Minnesota; and

WHEREAS: This year, Minnesota celebrates the 50th anniversary of the WIC program and the millions of families that have benefited from this incredible service.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM WALZ, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim September 2024 as:

MINNESOTA WIC MONTH

in the State of Minnesota.