WIC can operate for several more weeks, despite shutdown

The federal nutrition program for women, infants, and children known as WIC will continue to operate normally in Minnesota for now, despite the government shutdown.

There's enough federal support to operate The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children for several more weeks, state officials said. Initially, they worried the program would face trouble in just a few days.

Good news came Wednesday when the U.S. Department of Agriculture committed to funding WIC "we think for the next few weeks," said Maggie Diebel with the Minnesota Department of Health.

"We'll have a better handle on that next week. But it means that WIC can continue to operate for the time being," she said. "Clients and vendors should continue with the program as usual."