• program participation;
• access and availability of prescribed foods;
• voucher redemption rates and actual food selections by participants;
• participants on special diets or specific food allergies;
• participant use and satisfaction of prescribed foods;
• achievement of positive health outcomes; and
• program costs.

The study provides the first systematic data on the balance struck by Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) state agencies between the goals of nutritional improvement and customer satisfaction and the need to make the most of available program funds. By reducing food costs, cost-containment practices have the potential to increase the number of eligible women, infants, and children served by WIC. Concerns have been raised, however, that overly restrictive policies may reduce participants' access to and consumption of prescribed foods, and may ultimately lead to reduced participation and adverse health impacts. In addition, some observers have questioned whether cost-containment practices save enough in food costs to offset their additional administrative costs.

The study will be conducted in six States selected to represent the three primary cost-containment practices: (1) vendor selection restrictions; (2) item selection restrictions; and (3) manufacturer rebate practices. Infant formula rebate practices are specifically excluded from this study. The research will draw on a number of data sources, including: State WIC information systems, a survey of WIC participants, focus groups with WIC dropouts, a survey of WIC food availability and prices, supermarket scanner data, and interviews with State and local WIC staff. A fixed-price contract was awarded to Abt Associates, Inc. in fiscal 1999 for a base cost of $1,099,293. In fiscal 2001 an option of $376,937 was exercised to conduct data analysis and develop a final report. In fiscal 2002, additional funding of $12,179 was provided to produce a stand alone executive summary. The final report to Congress was completed in February 2003.