Access to nutrition support programs is essential for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women to receive nutritious food, which is particularly important during this time period.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps buffer families from the effects of economic downturns; it reduces food insecurity as well as giving families and individuals greater opportunity to purchase healthy food. By providing nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, and other services, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has been shown to improve child health in a range of measures, with long term developmental benefits. Access to healthy foods is associated with lower incidences of low-birth-weight babies and infant mortality, as well as positive developmental and educational outcomes for children.
