FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Michell Grainger
(334) 206-5673
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has named the WIC Programs in Baldwin, Marshall and Mobile counties recipients of the 2018 Loving Support Award of Excellence.
Each year the USDA announces the Loving Support Award of Excellence winners. The program was established to recognize local WIC agencies that have provided exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support activities. The intent is to provide models and motivate other local agencies to strengthen their breastfeeding promotion and support activities and ultimately increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates among WIC participants.
State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris praised those who have made this significant accomplishment possible and stated, “I appreciate so much the care that you all show for our clients.”
According to the USDA’s Southeast Regional Office, “These local agencies have successfully met the criteria identified as best practices, which demonstrate excellence in breastfeeding practices and support. WIC local agencies continue to play a critical role in promoting, encouraging and supporting breastfeeding! We appreciate the commitment to making breastfeeding promotion and support a priority as well as ensuring the core component of the nutrition services that the WIC Program provides to meet its mission of safeguarding the health of low-income women, infants and children.”
Amanda Martin, state WIC Program director, noted, “This is the second time that Alabama has received this distinction, and the first time that we have received three awards in my history with the program.”