The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said 500,000 people could be cut from the Women, Infants and Children program, known as WIC, USA Today reported Tuesday.

Food prices have spiked and WIC caseloads have risen since U.S. President George Bush proposed spending $5.4 billion to serve 8.3 million people next year, said Bob Greenstein, the center's executive director.

WIC's caseload has increased to 8.5 million and food prices have risen, meaning the proposed spending would cover fewer than 8 million people next year, Greenstein said.

The Department of Agriculture, which oversees the program, said a supplemental appropriation could be sought or people could apply to other food programs, department spokeswoman Jean Daniel told USA Today.

"We look at this very carefully on a regular basis so that we're able to avert just these kinds of situations," Daniel said. "There are options."