WASHINGTON, D.C.--U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Mark Udall (D-Colo.) strongly objected to a decision by the Obama Administration today to continue prohibiting families using the Women, Infants and Children program from obtaining all fresh vegetables, including fresh, white potatoes. The senators have fought for years to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to update its antiquated rules based on outdated, decades-old consumption data.
"USDA's decision ought to be driven by nutritional facts and food science. In that kind of review, the fresh, white potato wins, hands down. The potato has more potassium than bananas, a food commonly associated with this nutrient which is important for pregnant women and new mothers. Potatoes are cholesterol-free, fat-free, and sodium-free, and can be served in countless healthy ways. A medium baked potato contains 15 percent of the daily recommended value of dietary fiber, 27 percent of the daily recommended value for vitamin B6, and 28 percent of the daily recommended value of Vitamin C," Senator Collins said. "It also defies logic that WIC participants may purchase fresh white potatoes sold at a farmers' market but may not purchase fresh white potatoes sold in grocery stores. Potatoes are an affordable and nutrient-dense food that all WIC participants should be able to purchase regardless of the merchant. Furthermore, USDA's decision is based on recommendations of the 2005 DGA report, which used consumption data that was nearly 20 years old. It is disappointing that USDA ignored Congress' intent that it bring the USDA rule for the WIC food package in line to reflect the most recent 2010 DGA."
"Access to fresh fruits and vegetables is the cornerstone of a balanced and healthy diet and is integral to maintaining a high quality of life. We need to ensure that the government does not take any fresh, healthy options - such as baked potatoes and other nutritious preparations - off the table for working families and children," Senator Udall said. "That's why I will continue pushing the Obama Administration to correct this shortsighted decision and to ensure that the wellbeing of our families isn't jeopardized by bureaucratic red tape and outdated science."
Currently, fresh white potatoes are the only fresh fruit or vegetable excluded from the WIC food package, which sends a message to Americans that potatoes are not nutritious. Potatoes' exclusion from the U.S. Department of Agriculture rule went into effect in December 2009 and is based on recommendations of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans report, which uses consumption data that is nearly 20 years old. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, however, recommends five to six cups of these vegetables per week for women with a daily caloric intake of 1,800 to 2,400 calories - an increase of two to three cups per week from the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.WIC is a U.S. Department of Agriculture program designed to provide supplemental foods to meet the special nutritional needs of low-income pregnant, breast feeding, non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and infants and children up to five years of age who are at nutritional risk.
Udall and Collins championed an amendment to the 2013 Farm Bill to allow families using the WIC program to obtain all fresh vegetables, including potatoes.
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