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Pat Jordan:
Giving
Washington's kids a healthy start
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Pat Jordan |
Pat Jordan has been feeding people her entire professional career. Jordan works with
the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children – better
known as WIC.
WIC provides low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children with healthy
foods as well as education and counseling about nutrition and growing up healthy. WIC
serves fifty percent of infants in Washington state, giving them a healthy start.
Jordan started her career as a home economics teacher. She left teaching to work with
community organizations running food banks and food programs. She began working with WIC
when it was part of the Department of Social and Health Services. When the Department of
Health was created in 1989 it took in the WIC program.
The WIC program provides vouchers to mothers to be used at specific stores for specific
foods and formula. WIC contracts with local clinics and stores to provide services.
Approximately 750 grocery stores, from large chains to independent stores in smaller
communities, participate in the program. Jordan’s job is negotiating contracts and
bringing all the parties together so that the services flow smoothly.
Another important WIC service is providing new mothers with counseling about
breastfeeding. Breastfeeding for at least the first six months of a child’s life has
benefits for both the child and the mother.
Jordan and WIC have pioneered a program of rebates from the producers of infant formula.
That program has grown into a consortium of 21 other states that has resulted in $2
million a month in formula rebates. That money allows the program to buy more food for
more children.
A newer WIC project works with 73 farmers markets in Washington to provide families with
fresh local produce and expose them to the healthy foods the markets offer.
WIC also provides assistance and referrals to other services mothers and young children
may need – such as immunizations, medical and dental services, support enforcement
assistance – even registering to vote.
Jordan loves her work – loves helping people get the food they need to stay healthy.
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