By Ryan Duey

According to the Kansas WIC Program Fact Sheet by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment approximately 44,000 Kansas residents are on WIC. This program is essential for qualifying women and children who are in need of healthy food, education, and other health services.

With a possible shortfall of $1 billion in funding to the USDA nearly 2 million women and children could be left without WIC aid.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reports on Tuesday why he wants full funding for the USDA’s WIC nutrition program.

Congress has until early next year to resolve the issue, before the latest USDA funding extension expires.

Kansas residents can find out more about the WIC Program by going to kansaswic.org.