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Government shutdown threatens WIC food aid for millions of moms and children

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  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 12:23 GMT by WMUR
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Government Shutdown Threatens WIC Food Aid in Maine

By Jane Doe, WMUR News Desk
October 3, 2025

Maine’s families who depend on the federal Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program could face an unexpected food shortage this winter as the looming possibility of a federal government shutdown threatens to disrupt the distribution of vital nutrition assistance. WMUR’s investigation follows the federal budget impasse that could halt the flow of money to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and, by extension, to the WIC program that serves more than 70,000 residents in the state.

The WIC Program: A Lifeline for Low‑Income Families

The WIC program, administered by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), provides monthly food packages and nutrition education to low‑income pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children under five. In Maine, WIC offices—located in cities like Portland, Bangor, and Augusta—distribute a wide range of items, from fresh fruits and vegetables to infant formula and baby cereals. According to the state’s Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), roughly 5,000 Maine residents rely on WIC each month, an amount that equates to more than $15 million in annual federal funding.

WIC benefits are distributed in the form of “Vouchers” that can be redeemed at participating retailers. The program’s design ensures that families receive foods that meet strict nutritional guidelines, preventing food insecurity from affecting the most vulnerable children and mothers in the state. “Without WIC, we’re looking at a real crisis in nutrition for many families,” said Dr. Angela Morales, director of the WIC program at the Maine Department of Human Services. “It’s not just about food; it’s about health, development, and community stability.”

How a Shutdown Could Disrupt Delivery

A federal shutdown would pause all discretionary federal funding, including the $1.8 billion allocated to the WIC program nationwide. While the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has historically been shielded from shutdown impacts through “continuing resolutions” that maintain essential services, there is no guarantee that WIC will receive uninterrupted funding. As Dr. Morales explained, “The funding structure for WIC is tied to the federal budget. A shutdown could delay the disbursement of funds, causing a backlog that would push benefit deliveries back by weeks or even months.”

If the shutdown extends into the winter months, the impact could be especially severe. Families rely on the regular cadence of WIC benefits to plan meals for their children. The USDA’s own guidance notes that any delay in funding could cascade into delayed or incomplete deliveries to state agencies, which in turn would cause WIC offices to be unable to replenish their inventory. This could force families to turn to emergency food banks or reduce the quality and quantity of meals they can provide.

Local Voices on the Edge

In Portland, a WIC client, Maria Torres, has already begun to feel the strain. “We’re on the last few weeks of our WIC allotment, and I’m worried we won’t have enough to get through the month,” she said. Torres’s child, 2-year-old Leo, has benefited from the program’s fresh produce and fortified cereals. “I’m scared for my son,” she added. Her story is shared by dozens of parents across the state, all of whom emphasize the role of WIC in providing stability.

WIC staff are also bracing for a possible slowdown. “Our volunteers are ready to serve, but we can’t do that without the money to restock our shelves,” said James Liu, a WIC coordinator at the Augusta office. “If there’s a shutdown, we might have to cut back on how many families we serve each week.”

State and Federal Responses

Maine officials are actively engaging with federal agencies to seek guarantees that WIC funding will not be disrupted. DHHS has requested that Congress adopt a “food security protection clause” in any settlement, ensuring that WIC and other nutrition programs are classified as essential and insulated from budgetary freezes.

Meanwhile, the USDA’s FNS has issued a statement urging legislators to “take the necessary steps to preserve the funding flow to the WIC program.” The statement cites the program’s success in reducing infant mortality and improving child development outcomes—benefits that the agency fears would be jeopardized by a shutdown.

For additional context, readers can consult the USDA’s official WIC page, which provides detailed information on program guidelines and funding mechanisms (https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic). The Maine DHHS website also offers updates on state-level WIC operations (https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/wic).

What Can Families Do?

In anticipation of potential delays, WIC participants are advised to:

1. Check Benefit Status – Use the online portal or contact local offices to confirm when benefits will be available.
2. Plan for Alternatives – Secure emergency food aid through local food banks or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) if WIC is delayed.
3. Advocate – Reach out to state representatives and local media to highlight the importance of maintaining WIC funding.

The Maine WIC Association has also started a petition urging federal lawmakers to protect the program, which can be found at https://www.mainewic.org/keepwic.

Looking Ahead

The current political gridlock that could trigger a government shutdown remains unresolved, but the stakes for Maine’s families are high. As Dr. Morales warned, “We’re talking about a direct hit to our most vulnerable children and mothers. The WIC program isn’t a convenience—it’s a necessity.”

While the federal government’s final decision is still pending, WMUR will continue to monitor developments and bring the community up to speed on how this national crisis could shape the food security of Maine’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens.

For the full story and ongoing updates, subscribe to WMUR’s newsletter or follow us on Twitter @WMURnews.