As a Latina who grew up poor, I can tell you that we already have limited food choices. Poor people of color in my community already experience shame at the register. It is deeply concerning that a government agency is trying to push through a well-meaning policy intended to promote healthier food choices, but instead targets our already strapped communities of color by reducing culturally preferred cereals. 

Here’s the full story:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed eliminating culturally preferred, healthy choices in the federal government’s main nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).  

Specifically, the USDA is considering taking away more than half the healthy breakfast cereals in the WIC program.

In particular, the move would deny poor women and children six (6) of the most popular 10 cereals in states with heavily diverse communities that prefer rice- and corn-based cereals.  

The Child Nutrition Act requires the government to take cultural preferences into account when making changes to the cereal and other food categories.

This change goes against USDA’s Equity Action Plan, as the most vulnerable people of color will be disproportionately affected.

The USDA says it’s necessary to eliminate already approved nutritious cereals in the WIC program if they’re not whole grain. 

The point is to get children all the essential vitamins and minerals cereal provides, especially iron. If our kids don’t like the choices, they won’t eat it and put at risk getting the nutrition they need.  

We respectfully request that USDA protect the unique cultural eating patterns of all low-income families on WIC, by enabling them to access their culturally preferred nutritious cereals, to help their children grow up healthy too.  

The petition above will be submitted to USDA as a comment for every signer.  Please sign today, and exercise your civic duty to ensure our government develops common sense policies.