WIC benefits at risk in federal budget proposal
June 12, 2025
Access to healthy, nutrient-dense food is an essential building block for young children to grow and reach their potential. Yet, President Trump’s proposed budget for 2026 wants to slash funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The program provides food assistance and other benefits during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as for children under the age of 5—some of the most important years for brain development and healthy growth.
Each year, Congress sets the funding levels for WIC as part of the annual federal budget, and Trump recently proposed steep cuts to the program. Specifically, his request would significantly reduce monthly fruit and vegetable benefits from $26 to $10 for children, and from $47–$52 to $13 for pregnant and postpartum participants. This would harm—not support—the health and well-being of young children, families, farmers and producers, and communities across Colorado and the nation.
Read more from the National WIC Association and other national leaders about why this is so concerning.
We stand with other food-for-all advocates in Colorado and across the U.S. in urging Congress to put our nation's children first and oppose any cuts to WIC. The program, at minimum, needs to remain fully funded and accessible to all eligible families, especially given the continued high cost of groceries and increased need in our towns and neighborhoods. Every family deserves access to the nutritious foods they need to thrive.
As Congress begins budget negotiations, contact your Members of Congress and ask them to reject Trump’s proposed WIC cuts.
Watch this quick explainer video from our Policy Manager Dayana Levya and Communications Coordinator Nina Cicero-Soles to find out what these cuts would mean for Colorado families.