The Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides nutritional assistance for low-income mothers, infants, and children. WIC offers a variety of food items, including fruits, vegetables, milk, and whole grains. Some WIC participants may be wondering if they can get watermelon through the program.
The answer to this question is yes, WIC does provide watermelon. Watermelon is a good source of vitamins A and C, and it is also low in calories. WIC participants can get fresh watermelon during the summer months, or they can get frozen watermelon all year round. To get watermelon through WIC, participants must simply ask their WIC nutritionist for a prescription. The nutritionist will then write a prescription for the amount of watermelon that the participant needs. Participants can then take the prescription to a WIC-authorized grocery store to purchase the watermelon.
WIC Program Coverage of Watermelon
The Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federally funded program that provides food benefits to low-income women, infants, and children. WIC benefits can be used to purchase a variety of healthy food items, including fresh produce.
Eligible WIC Fruits and Vegetables
WIC-eligible fresh produce includes a wide variety of items, including:
- Fruits: Whole, fresh, or canned (unsweetened); Not including fruit juices
- Vegetables: Whole, fresh, canned (unsweetened); 100% Juice
The specific items covered by WIC vary from state to state. However, all states are required to cover a minimum number of specific types of fresh produce.
Watermelon Coverage
Watermelon is considered a fruit under the WIC program. Therefore, it is typically covered by WIC benefits in all states. This means that WIC recipients can use their benefits to purchase fresh, whole watermelons or canned, unsweetened watermelons.
WIC Program Restrictions
There are a few important things to remember about using WIC benefits to purchase fresh produce. WIC limits the purchase of certain amount of fresh produce, including watermelons.
| Benefit | Monthly Allowance | Age Eligibility |
| Cash-Value Voucher | $11/month for fresh produce | WIC women who are fully or partialy breastfeeding, postpartum and children 1 to 4 years of age |
| Breastfeeding Supplemental Foods | $9/month for food items not provided with cash-value voucher (i.e., only for fully and partially breastfeeding women | Fully and Partially Breastfeeding Women |
| Commodity Foods | Fruits high in Beta-Carotene are also offered in WIC in some States/Tribes | As available in State/Tribes |
How to Use WIC to Purchase Watermelon
To purchase fresh produce with WIC benefits, follow these steps:
1. Find a WIC-authorized grocery store.
2. Shop for the fresh produce you want to purchase.
3. Bring your WIC benefits card to the checkout counter.
4. The cashier will scan your WIC benefits card and deduct the cost of the fresh produce from your balance.
Additional Information
For more information on the WIC program, please visit the USDA FSP website.
Permissible and Non-Permissible WIC Foods
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children under the age of five. Fruits and vegetables are a vital part of a healthy diet and are often included as part of WIC benefits.
Watermelon is a type of fruit that is not specifically included in the WIC food list. However, this does not mean that watermelon is not allowed on WIC. As long as watermelon is purchased with WIC-approved funds and meets the program’s nutritional guidelines, it can be included as part of a WIC-approved diet.
Permissible WIC Foods
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Low-fat dairy products
- Lean protein
- Iron-fortified foods
Non-Permissible WIC Foods
- Sugary drinks
- Candy
- Chips
- Cookies
- Processed meats
Watermelon on WIC
| Criteria | Permissible | Non-Permissible |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh watermelon | Yes | No |
| Watermelon juice | No | Yes |
| Canned watermelon | No | Yes |
As the table shows, fresh watermelon is permissible on WIC, while watermelon juice and canned watermelon are not. This is because watermelon juice and canned watermelon do not meet the WIC nutritional guidelines for fruits and vegetables.
If you are a WIC participant and have any questions about whether or not a particular food is permissible on WIC, you should contact your local WIC clinic.
WIC Eligibility and Requirements
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal nutrition program that provides food assistance to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5. WIC provides a variety of food items, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, milk, and cheese, to help participants meet their nutritional needs.
To be eligible for WIC, participants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a resident of the United States.
- Meet income eligibility guidelines.
- Be pregnant or breastfeeding or have an infant or child under age 5.
- Have nutritional risk factors, such as being overweight or underweight, anemia, or having a history of premature birth.
WIC eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. To apply for WIC, participants must contact their local WIC clinic. The clinic staff will screen participants for eligibility and, if eligible, issue WIC vouchers. WIC vouchers can be used to purchase eligible food items at authorized grocery stores.
The following table provides a summary of WIC eligibility and requirements:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Residency | Must be a resident of the United States. |
| Income | Must meet income eligibility guidelines. |
| Nutritional risk | Must have nutritional risk factors, such as being overweight or underweight, anemia, or having a history of premature birth. |
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding status | Must be pregnant or breastfeeding or have an infant or child under age 5. |
WIC Voucher Redemption Guidelines
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides vouchers to eligible participants to purchase specific nutritious foods. Watermelon is not currently included in the list of approved foods that can be purchased with these vouchers.
- Fruits and vegetables
- Milk
- Infant formula
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Peanut Butter
- Whole Wheat Bread
- Oatmeal
- Dried Beans
- Brown Rice
Eligible participants can use their vouchers to purchase these foods at authorized retailers. To find out if your local grocery store accepts food stamps, please visit the WIC website.
Well, there you have it. Thanks so much for hopping on over today and joining me to chat all things WIC and watermelon. If you still have questions about the the program or its offerings, be sure to reach out to your local WIC office. And please swing by again soon–I’ve plenty more food-related know-how to share! Take care, and see you next time.