This story is free to read.

Congress puts potatoes on menu for low-income moms

FILE - In this Nov. 4, 2013 file photo, Dennis Hess packs potatoes at his farm in Litiz, Pa. It’s another political victory for the popular potato. A year-end spending bill expected to become law by the end of the year would allow for the first time pregnant and breastfeeding women and their children to buy white potatoes with government-subsidized food vouchers from the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) FILE - In this Nov. 4, 2013 file photo, Dennis Hess packs potatoes at his farm in Litiz, Pa. It’s another political victory for the popular potato. A year-end spending bill expected to become law by the end of the year would allow for the first time pregnant and breastfeeding women and their children to buy white potatoes with government-subsidized food vouchers from the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

By Associated Press December 11, 2014 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – It’s a political victory for the popular potato.

For the first time, low-income women would be able to pay for potatoes with government-subsidized vouchers issued by the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program.

The potato provision is part of a massive spending bill expected to be approved by year’s end.

White potatoes have been excluded from WIC since fruits and vegetables were first allowed under the program in 2009. The Institute of Medicine had recommended they be left off of WIC vouchers, saying recipients of the aid already eat enough white potatoes.

The potato industry has aggressively lobbied for inclusion in the WIC program, saying it’s not as much about sales as the perception that potatoes aren’t as nutritious as other vegetables.