Final answer:
As of 2014, approximately 40,000,000 individuals received food assistance, which includes those served by the WIC program. WIC assists pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to five years old who meet income and nutritional risk requirements.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to United States Department of Agriculture statistics from 2014, approximately 40,000,000 individuals received food assistance over a two-year period, which includes benefits through the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). WIC serves pregnant women, postpartum women, infants, and children up to five years old who meet certain income requirements—between 100% and 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)—and who are determined to be at nutritional risk. The assistance provided by WIC includes vouchers, checks, or Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards that can be used to purchase specific nutritious foods aimed at improving the health and nutrition of these groups.