That was a possibility when Utah's Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program projected a nearly $4 million deficit in this fiscal year's budget. But federal funding came through.

"We're not expecting at this point to be concerned about going into caseload management," said Chris Furner, WIC's program manager.

WIC programs across the country were struggling with rising dairy costs and were facing flat federal funding. But Congress approved $6 billion - an extra $633 million - for WIC in the budget that passed late last month.

Utah received about $40 million for its 65,000 clients.

Since the new budget just barely averts a deficit, Utah will continue its cost-cutting measures, including reducing allocations of juice and cheese and steering clients to buying beans instead of peanut butter.

hmay@sltrib.com