[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7 Volume 4]
[Revised as of January 1, 2001]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR246.1]

[Page 269-270]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
    CHAPTER II--FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 246--SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN--Table of Contents
 
                           Subpart A--General
 
Sec. 246.1  General purpose and scope.


    This part announces regulations under which the Secretary of 
Agriculture shall carry out the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program 
for Women, Infants and Children (WIC Program). Section 17 of the Child 
Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended, states in part that the Congress 
finds that substantial numbers of pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding 
women, infants and young children from families with inadequate income 
are at special risk with respect to their physical and mental health by 
reason of inadequate nutrition or health care, or both. The purpose of 
the Program is to provide supplemental foods and nutrition education 
through payment of cash grants to State agencies which administer the 
Program through local agencies at no cost to eligible persons. The 
Program shall serve as an adjunct to good health care during critical 
times of growth and development, in order to prevent the occurrence of 
health problems, including drug and

[[Page 270]]

other harmful substance abuse, and to improve the health status of these 
persons. The program shall be supplementary to the Food Stamp Program; 
any program under which foods are distributed to needy families in lieu 
of food stamps; and receipt of food or meals from soup kitchens, or 
shelters, or other forms of emergency food assistance.

[50 FR 6121, Feb. 13, 1985, as amended at 54 FR 51294, Dec. 14, 1989; 58 
FR 11506, Feb. 26, 1993]