The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion Tuesday to increase enrollment in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children and utilization of the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
The motion by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, coauthored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, strengthens the county's ability to connect families with young children to fully funded federal nutrition programs proven to improve health, food security and long-term wellbeing.
"As federal systems fall short, Los Angeles County is stepping up to protect families with young children," said Horvath. "WIC and CACFP are vital, reliable programs that can immediately ease the burden on parents, yet far too many eligible families are not connected to them."
The urgency has increased following November 2025 SNAP benefit delays, which left more than 1.5 million county residents facing gaps in their monthly food budgets, and upcoming eligibility changes to SNAP. WIC and CACFP remained fully funded, but many families may not know they are eligible or how to enroll.
"Far too many hardworking families who need support accessing food — and are entitled to benefits like SNAP — are left out due to a lack of awareness and misinformation," said Mitchell. "As we see the federal government's continued attempts to limit access to SNAP, which feeds millions of people, this motion helps ensure eligible residents are signing up for WIC."
The federal government recently passed full funding for WIC through Sept. 30, 2026. However, too many eligible families in Los Angeles County are not accessing WIC's healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to health care, according to Dr. Shannon E. Whaley, director of research and evaluation at PHFE WIC.
WIC foods bring purchasing power of over $18 million monthly to grocers and farmers in Los Angeles County, directly supporting local employment and the economy. WIC services ensure every tax dollar spent supporting pregnant women, infants and children under age 5 will promote healthier outcomes and save taxpayers an average of $2.48, Whaley said.
The approved motion directs the county's family-serving departments to take coordinated steps to better connect families with WIC, CACFP and related supports, including improving staff tools, standardizing referrals and strengthening outreach across county systems and community touchpoints.
Edited by SMDP Staff