KTVF: Senator Murkowski updates WIC food packages with Alaskan salmon for children and mothers in America
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) praises USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for including Alaskan salmon into the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food packages, according to a press release.
When the process to update WIC food packages began, Murkowski advocated for healthy, nutritious food items such as Alaska salmon to be included in the food packages.
“It is great news for America’s mothers and their children who rely on WIC that the USDA is including low-mercury seafood like Alaska salmon in more WIC food packages. Alaska’s wild salmon is among the healthiest and most nutritious food in the world and I’m grateful for Alaska’s fishermen and the seafood industry who help provide it to consumers,” said Murkowski.
“I’ve long worked on this issue because Alaskan seafood should be accessible to America’s children and mothers in our food programs. Today’s announcement is good news and I am proud to have championed this effort that both supports Alaska’s seafood industry and the health of America’s kids and moms,” Murkowski added.
She has advocated for the inclusion of a low-mercury fish, Alaskan salmon, into WIC food packages for roughly 10 years. The 2024 final food package regulation will include 6 ounces of salmon for one to four-years-old, 10 ounces for pregnant women, 15 ounces for partially breast feeding, and 10 ounces for post-partum mothers.
By: Leah Thom
