WIC is run by the US federal government. Employees, especially higher-ranking
ones, cannot take any formula-company gifts such as coffee cups and the like
because the US government has very strict rules about accepting contractor
"gratuities."  WIC purchases formula on competitive bids, and a law passed in
1992 prohibits price-fixing.

USDA/WIC is the only US government-funded program that has a specific mandate
from Congress to increase breastfeeding rates. (DHHS should follow suit,
IMHO!) The largest increase in BF rates has been in the WIC population, so
the targeted funding has had a very positive impact. All government programs
are unwieldy because of the nature of government programs. Some state and
local agencies have done wonderful things with their BF funds. Others are
moving more slowly, but the funding is there and is supposed to be used. A
lot of it is figuring out what will work best in each local setting and where
to start.

Support your local WIC people - they're trying to make changes in a cultural
system that accepts change slowly. The nutrition education funding helps all
moms - the ones who don't BF get help buying decent stuff (instead of using
coffee creamer and other glop)for their babies. ABM is "second best" but way
ahead of what's in third place. All moms get help in learning how to choose
and prepare good foods for their families.

Linda Smith, grateful that there is ONE federally-funded program supporting
BF!
Dayton, OH (and I don't even work for WIC at the present time).