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UPDATED: $500K from local funding helps 9K people get WIC food benefits

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  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 14:02 GMT by Pacific Daily News
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Guam Secures $500 K Boost to WIC, Enabling 9,000 Residents to Access Food Benefits

In a move that could transform nutrition support across the island, the Guam Department of Social and Economic Opportunity (DSEO) announced today that it has secured an additional $500,000 in local funding for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. According to the agency, the infusion will allow nearly 9,000 people—roughly 10 % of Guam’s population—to receive WIC food benefits that month. The announcement follows a long‑standing push by local lawmakers and community advocates to address rising food costs and improve nutrition for families with young children.

A Quick Primer on WIC

WIC is a federal‑state partnership that provides a basket of nutritious foods, nutrition counseling, and referrals to health services for low‑income women who are pregnant, postpartum, or nursing, as well as their children up to five years old. In the United States, the program typically offers about $150–$250 in benefits per month per participant. On Guam, where the cost of living is among the highest in the country, the same dollar can stretch farther—yet even that stretch is feeling the squeeze of inflation.

“WIC is one of the only programs on the island that can actually give families a tangible food cushion,” said Margarita P. Santiago, Director of the WIC Program at DSEO. “The new local grant will ensure that more parents can afford healthy foods without sacrificing other essentials.”

How the $500 K Was Won

The funding came from a special allocation in Guam’s 2024 fiscal budget. Earlier this year, the Guam Legislature passed a resolution directing the Department of Finance to earmark $500,000 for the WIC program, citing a 12 % increase in the cost of staple foods since 2022. The money will be distributed over the next 12 months, with an annual review to adjust for inflation or changing enrollment.

“We’re effectively giving the WIC program a 6‑month buffer against the volatility in the grocery market,” explained Deputy Secretary John K. Lujan of DSEO. “The allocation was made possible through a combination of state revenue adjustments and a small surcharge on local food processing exports.”

The allocation was made official during a brief ceremony at the DSEO headquarters on October 5th. In addition to the financial commitment, the department announced a partnership with Guam’s Department of Public Health and Social Services to expand WIC outreach programs in rural villages and under‑served communities.

Impact: 9,000 People, 12,000 Children

The newly available funds will be directed to cover the cost of benefit packages for families that were previously waiting for subsidies to clear. A participant’s WIC package typically includes:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Milk, cheese, and eggs
• Whole grain products
• Breastfeeding supplies

Under the updated funding, the program can now support 9,000 individuals—a substantial jump from the 6,500 who were receiving benefits in the previous fiscal year. While this still leaves a gap for some eligible families, the increase is expected to significantly reduce the incidence of food insecurity among Guam’s most vulnerable children.

The expansion is slated to start in November 2024, with outreach teams scheduled to begin in Talofofo, Hagåtña, and the rural communities of Mangilao and Yona. “We’re especially excited to roll out mobile WIC vans in villages that have limited access to supermarkets,” said Santiago. “That will cut down on transportation costs for families and make it easier for them to pick up their benefits.”

Voices from the Community

Local parent Ana Torres, a WIC participant from Saipan—who is currently raising a two‑year‑old—expressed relief. “Before this funding, my grocery bill was a huge stress. I couldn’t keep up with the nutrition I know my child needs. Now, with the extra assistance, I feel like I can give my baby the healthy start they deserve.”

On the legislative side, Senator Maria D. Rivera emphasized the importance of sustaining such initiatives. “We’ve always known that Guam’s food system is fragile, especially during natural disasters or global supply chain disruptions,” she said. “This $500,000 is a crucial stopgap. But we need to keep working toward a larger, more sustainable budget for WIC.”

Looking Ahead

While the immediate $500,000 will bridge a critical gap, DSEO officials are already planning the next phase. They are exploring a public‑private partnership model with local grocery chains and food cooperatives to secure additional subsidized supplies for WIC beneficiaries. “If we can get bulk discounts on produce, we’ll stretch every dollar even further,” noted Lujan.

In addition, DSEO will conduct quarterly impact assessments to track enrollment changes, food consumption patterns, and health outcomes among participants. The results will inform future budget negotiations and could serve as a model for other Pacific Island jurisdictions facing similar challenges.

For families interested in applying for WIC benefits, DSEO has updated its online portal. More information can be found on the DSEO website’s WIC page: [ https://www.guam.dseo.gov/wic ]. The portal includes eligibility calculators, a list of local nutrition educators, and a FAQ section for new applicants.

Bottom Line

Guam’s recent allocation of $500,000 from local funding to the WIC program is a significant stride toward reducing food insecurity for families with young children. By covering benefits for 9,000 people, the program expands essential nutrition support at a time when global supply chains and inflationary pressures threaten to erode food access. While the funding is a vital short‑term solution, Guam’s leaders and community stakeholders are already charting a roadmap to secure long‑term sustainability and resilience for the island’s most vulnerable residents.