The resolution urges the federal government, specifically the Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA, to establish a WIC waiver program that would allow state agencies to authorize the purchase of alternative infant formulas during public emergencies. This initiative is in response to the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent infant formula shortages, which were exacerbated by supply chain disruptions and product recalls. The resolution highlights the importance of providing flexibility to WIC state agencies to ensure that participants can access the necessary nutrition for their infants, particularly in times of crisis.

Currently, WIC state agencies are bound by federal law to contract with specific manufacturers for infant formula, limiting the options available to participants. The resolution emphasizes the need for a permanent waiver program that would enable states to quickly adapt to future emergencies by allowing WIC recipients to purchase a wider range of infant formula brands, formulations, and quantities. This would ensure that at-risk infants receive the essential nutrition they require for healthy development, regardless of supply chain issues or other public emergencies.