WIC Participants’ Perceptions of the Cash-Value Benefit Increase during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This study is original and shows interesting and innovative aspects

Author Response

Dear Reviewer 1,

Thank you very much for your supportive comments on our manuscript. We agree that the study shows interesting and innovative aspects and appreciate you taking the time to review the paper. 

Regards,

McKenna Halverson

Reviewer 2 Report

In the manuscript “WIC participants’ perceptions of the Cash-Value Benefit increase during the COVID-19 pandemic” the authors tried to assess how the changes to the Cash-Value Benefit allotment that occurred during the pandemic influenced participants’ perceptions of the benefit or their fruit and vegetable purchasing and consumption from Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The Authors conducted the semi-structured phone interviews. The study included 51 participants from Wilmington in Delaware. The study is an important contribution to science due to its subject, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program and consumer behaviors.

Generally, the manuscript provides valuable information. The Authors very clearly described materials and methods. Moreover, the Authors have got approval from the Institutional Review Board at the University of Delaware. The Authors used proper procedure in data analysis. The results and discussion are described correctly.

The Authors confirmed that the higher benefit amount positively affected participants’ dietary quality. The study can make a real contribution to improving the quality of the less wealthy people’s diets and beneficial changes in the country’s nutrition policy.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer 2:

Thank you very much for taking the time to review our manuscript. We greatly appreciate your supportive comments and agree that the manuscript provides valuable information.

Regards,

McKenna Halverson