DOH Among Nation’s Leaders in Health and Food Security Efforts

For instant launch: September 29, 2022 (22-149)

Contact: DOH Communications

A part of nationwide imaginative and prescient to finish starvation and cut back diet-related illness by 2030

OLYMPIA – Washington State Division of Well being was acknowledged by the White Home yesterday for the company’s dedication to shifting a number of plans ahead for sustainable and equitable entry to diet for all Washingtonians. The announcement was part of President Biden’s White Home Convention on Starvation, Diet, and Well being. The convention introduced the administration’s complete technique to deal with the wants of hundreds of thousands of People combating meals insecurity and nutrition-related sicknesses.

The bundle of latest actions is predicated on 5 pillars. They embrace improved meals entry and affordability, built-in diet and well being, empowerment of shoppers to make and have entry to wholesome meals decisions, assist of bodily exercise for all and enhanced diet and meals safety analysis.

At the moment in growth and in step with these pillars, DOH will launch a web based ordering pilot in 2023 for the Particular Supplemental Diet Program for Girls, Infants and Youngsters (WIC). For the primary time in this system’s historical past, WIC individuals will be capable to store on-line and choose pick-up or supply of their meals. This can be a monumental step ahead for these with restricted transportation and entry to nutritious meals.

As well as, DOH may even roll out a brand new program that allows WIC individuals to spend their month-to-month fruit and vegetable money worth profit at farmers markets and grocery shops. This variation will make roughly $10 million of WIC money worth advantages obtainable for redemption at farmers markets in 2023.

DOH additionally commits to transitioning fruit and vegetable prescriptions from a paper voucher to a card-based system, enabling extra small companies and grocers to entry this system, and rising entry for these with transportation limits.

“This can be a true instance of how working collectively, on a state and federal degree, we will deliver equitable and sustainable well being to all, starting with the inspiration of diet,” mentioned Secretary of Well being, Dr. Umair A. Shah.

These commitments are all tied into the DOH Transformational Plan: A Imaginative and prescient for Well being in Washington State, which focuses on a dedication to well being and wellness. DOH’s cornerstone values of fairness, innovation, and engagement proceed to be key drivers for a more healthy future.

DOH stays dedicated to offering equitable entry to diet and well being for each single Washingtonian, and there’s way more to return sooner or later. We’re all on this collectively and we are going to proceed to maneuver WA Ahead.

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