Join us for our 2022 Wiring WIC virtual symposium applying technology to strengthen the WIC Federal Food Assistance Program. For over 45 Years WIC has served as a resource for low-income families, providing access to healthy foods, counseling, nutrition education, and referrals to health services.

In September 2017, we brought together futurists, designers, technologists, researchers, public health experts, policymakers, and private sector collaborators all to reimagine what is possible for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in the Digital Age. Experts from IDEO facilitated the 1½ day experience convened at the MIT Media Lab, and together we designed innovative ways to nurture nearly half of our nation’s future.

In 2020, the paper vouchers used to distribute food benefits were replaced with a digital system that uses a benefits “debit” card. At the 50% Conference convened in 2017, we explored the transformative possibilities of additional technologies to further modernize the program, help families make food purchases, collect and surface the data about what foods are bought, and provide interactive nutrition feedback and education to WIC clients. Conference participants explored innovative approaches for using technology and social media beyond the food purchasing experience – for example, promoting nutritional health, providing child development tips, and preventing obesity among WIC beneficiaries.

The 2017 Summit