We didn't qualify for WIC, but I was on a strict TED with Ina (not as strict as yours, but none of the Big 8 plus no legumes) - for a long time; and with SJ I'm on a similar (slightly less restricted) diet. I too know it can become very expensive!
Ina could only tolerate Neocate when she had to be on formula, as well.
I know you've probably heard this elsewhere, but have you looked into whether you might have EOS going on in addition to/instead of allergies? I've a good online friend whose little one can only have three foods and they suspect EOS with him.
In terms of who to contact ....
: - I intended to contact my legislators about our saga and just never did. Wrote off our nearly $1000 worth of Neocate as a lost cause for reimbursement, and moved on. I feel guilty about this, as I know that other moms who don't qualify for WIC ( and/or can't afford the TED foods) are still struggling.
So, here's what my plan was:
1. Contact your local senators and representatives. Each state has its own guidelines for what WIC will do in terms of produce, formula, etc. (this is how some states allow purchases at Farmers' Markets etc.). Explain your situation - meet with them if possible - and bring documentation of what you're telling them in re: proteins in mother's milk, the benefits of breastfeeding an allergic child, etc. (you're embarking on a total reeducation campaign most likely). See whether they'd be willing to work on a bill which will alter/change what WIC can offer.
2. Do the same, on the national level, with the Senator and Rep for your area in FL.
3. Contact the local paper and see if they'd be interested in doing a story about this. This accomplishes two goals - first, publicity (which would be more likely to get politicians moving), and second - there may be someone in your community who would want to help you (if someone in your situation was in my community, I'd be there with bells on, for instance).
4. I agree about getting in the MDC giving boards and seeing whether moms there would be able to help out. It's hard to ask for things like that (especially when the government is supposedly helping you anyway
: ) but I know again, you would be likely to get some assistance.
5. Be persistent with steps 1, 2, and 3. Repeat as necessary!
6. There is a website for families struggling with infant reflux (which is often related to food allergies) - I think it's reflux.org? (PAGER) Check them out, they may have chapters in your area and may know who you should contact as well.
You are doing the right thing - I also like a pp's suggestion about seeing whether a CSA or organic grower would help you out by having you help them in trade for produce/meat? I would imagine that there are some good CSA types in your area ....
The other thought would be - you could probably grow winter and summer squashes in containers year 'round where you live ....? Definitely the summer squash at least. The "Diggin in the Earth" board could help you with that.
ETA: From what I understand about how the government bureaucracy grinds (SLOWLY) - I don't know if steps 1 and 2 will kick in in time for you (it depends on where your state's government is in its legislative process, and how quickly government contacts can be set up and more
). But you never know - it may kick in, in time to allow you to continue to bf beyond the first year if that continues to be workable for you --- and if not, it may help with subsequent children, or other moms in a similar circumstance at least.
Part of the issue is that WIC is funded out of the USDA, and there are also HHS issues too I think, so it gets pretty gnarly on the national level.
If you want to work on this nationally, let me know. I think it would need to be a concerted effort from most of the states and would probably take quite a bit of organization .... I know that I'm on a listserv that let me know last year that the USDA was modifying its WIC guidelines, and I was able to send off input to the USDA (they were considering making soy milk, rice milk and organic foods also available at the national level). I don't think that flew, though.