**Overview of WIC Participant Focus
Groups**![](media/image1.jpeg){width="3.5520833333333335in"
height="0.8048611111111111in"}

Conducted on April 5, 2008

San Antonio, TX -- Galloway Research

Number of attendees: 10 Spanish-speaking/8 English-speaking

**Participants Happy With WIC Benefits But Not with Long Waits to
Recertify**

The participants in Saturday's focus groups in San Antonio were
appreciative of the benefits they get from the WIC program, and those
who were familiar with WIC's nutritional materials were positive.

The main complaints about the program were focused on having long
waiting periods before their appointments because of booking several
people into the same time slots; their children get fidgety and
sometimes cry, scream, etc. Several also expressed a desire for more
variety in the courses at WIC (instead of the same class each time they
have to recertify).

**Participants Informed about Health Benefits of Certain Foods; Most
Shop at HEB**

While generally positive about the current WIC food allowances, some WIC
participants felt that there was too much emphasis on getting the
cheapest products, not necessarily the healthiest (such as organic
foods). Unprompted, both groups said they would like to receive
vegetables and fruits more often and were fairly well-informed about
their nutritional benefits. There was also a clear understanding of
monitoring cholesterol, awareness of obesity, desire for organic food,
etc., particularly in the Spanish-speaking group.

The Spanish-speaking participants, in particular, already incorporate
healthier options into their family meals and mentioned that they try to
avoid fruit juices because of their sugar content. In addition, these
women tended to feel that the amount of peanut butter they receive is
unnecessary (not as common culturally).

The English-speaking participants were more apt to plan meals around
convenience and ease ("what's in my refrigerator and cupboards"), though
they too were fairly well-informed about the preventative effects of
eating healthy. This group was more likely than the Spanish-speaking
participants to mention vitamin supplements as part of their family's
dietary intake.

HEB seemed to be the most popular place for shopping for WIC food items;
several also liked the ease of the WIC food stores and some shop at
Wal-Mart. HEB uses stickers to identify the WIC products and some have
certain aisles just for WIC items.

**Addition of Fruits, Vegetables and Whole Grains Seen Positively; Some
Dissatisfaction with Lower Amounts of Food Staples, Quantity of Baby
Formula**

All participants were happy to hear that they would be eligible to
receive fruits and vegetables. Several participants in the
English-speaking group apparently shop at Farmer's Markets. As the staff
focus group predicted, there was only limited knowledge about whole
grains and soy products; but they were positive about that new addition
once it was made clear that they could receive grain breads, tortillas,
etc as part of that category. Some women had used soy milk for their
children, mainly because of digestive problems, but few had any
experience with tofu.

Many women criticized the decreased portions of milk, cheese and eggs.
Several women in the English language group were also concerned about
the decrease in juice, and one vocal participant in the Spanish-speaking
group had a particular issue with switching to low fat milk. It wasn't
completely apparent to participants that the reason for this decrease
was to encourage healthier eating habits and nutrition for their
children. Only one woman in the English-speaking group clearly
speculated that this change is being made to address concerns over child
obesity. Again, as the employee focus group participants suggested, the
new food campaign will have to make it clear to mothers that WIC was
giving them *too much* of these items in the previous food package.

Both groups seemed very informed about the benefits of breastfeeding,
not just in terms of health but also for psychological bonding. Many in
the groups had breastfed themselves or plan to (if pregnant). When
presented with the new WIC package summary rule, many were confused
about the new package adjustments regarding baby formula. A few
commented that the allowance for baby formula is too low (whether
breastfeeding or not), but especially if a mother is primarily
breastfeeding yet still combining that with formula (for example, if she
is working, or if the baby isn't taking to breast milk right away). One
big difference between the English and the Spanish language groups was
about the new addition of jars of baby food. The women in the Spanish
language groups said they do not buy "Gerber" baby food jars ; they
[all]{.underline} prefer to puree their own.

**Classes, Calendar, Menus, WIC Hotline All Suggestions for Educating
Participants**

The WIC participants were positive about planning classes around the new
food package, either at the WIC offices or online. Many liked the idea
of incorporating a 'Mommy and me' type of children's class (or videos
for children) where the kids could participate along with mothers.

While several mothers said they would take advantage of an online course
or a take- home DVD, others preferred a class with a "real" instructor
there in person (versus a video), so they could help to answer
questions. Three of the ten participants in the Spanish-speaking group
had no access to the Internet. The English-speaking group largely
preferred receiving materials by U.S. mail.

One woman said she had received a WIC calendar that not only included
recipes but also health and exercise tips for families. Other group
participants really liked this idea. Similarly, others suggested that
WIC could provide material for various menus (to add variety to their
meals), a cookbook to give ideas for using the new WIC food items, and
in-store or at WIC office demonstrations.

Other suggestions included newsletters, guides, fact sheets, 'house
calls' by a WIC employee to explain the new changes and a WIC
hotline/nutrition hotline.