Juice would be more readily on the menu for America’s most vulnerable people under two bipartisan bills introduced recently by U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA).
The Juice for Healthy Families Act of 2026, H.R. 9305, and the Juice Access Improvement Act, H.R. 9304, which Rep. Thompson sponsored on June 11 alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL), would increase families’ access to juice under the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
“Families participating in WIC deserve access to nutritious foods and beverages that best meet their needs,” Rep. Thompson said. “The Juice for Healthy Families Act and the Juice Access Improvement Act will restore access to the key nutrients juices provide and preserve flexibility for families working hard to put healthy options on the table.”
Specifically, H.R. 9305 would increase the maximum monthly juice allowance under WIC to 128 ounces in an effort to increase WIC families’ access to juice and provide greater flexibility of nutritious options for children and families.
Meanwhile, in multiple states, many families aren’t aware they need to ask to opt-in for juice when they register with state agencies, which now have the option to designate the $3 cash-value benefit voucher as the default benefit and provide juice only upon request.
Under H.R. 9304, WIC participants would receive juice automatically unless they opt out and choose the $3 cash-value benefit instead.
In turn, this would retain consumer choice while negating the potential significant effects this policy could have on the health of children and families participating in WIC, according to Rep. Thompson, chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee.
“I am proud to work with Chairman Thompson on these two important bills to ensure that families in Florida and across the nation have access to delicious and nutritious juice,” said Rep. Soto. “As juice consumption for families who receive WIC benefits is down due to recent policy changes, the Juice for Healthy Families Act and the Juice Access Improvement Act will allow families the opportunity to increase their consumption.”
The Juice Products Association supports both measures, which have been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee.