WIC Approved Items support healthy eating for women, infants, and children. They include nutritious foods that are essential for physical development and well-being, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, and protein sources like beans and fish. These items are specially selected to meet the specific nutritional needs of pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, and young children. By providing access to these vital foods, WIC helps ensure that participants can make healthy choices that support their health and the growth and development of their babies.
WIC Approved Items
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutritious foods and nutrition education to eligible families. The program approves specific food items that meet the nutritional needs of participants.
Eligible Participants
WIC serves pregnant women, infants, and children under the age of five who are considered at nutritional risk. Income eligibility and other factors determine who qualifies for the program.
Approved Food Items
WIC-approved food items vary by state and age group of participants. Here are some commonly approved items in different categories:
Milk
- Whole milk
- Reduced-fat milk (2%)
- Non-fat milk (0%)
- Formula (for infants under 12 months)
Produce
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Frozen fruits and vegetables
- 100% fruit or vegetable juices
Grains
- Whole-grain breads
- Whole-grain cereals
- Brown rice
- Pasta
Protein
- Lean meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Eggs
- Dry beans and lentils
Dairy
- Cheese
- Cottage cheese
- Plain yogurt
- Milk-based drinks (e.g., soy milk)
Other
- Peanut butter
- Infant cereal
- Baby food (for children under 2)
- Iron-fortified breakfast cereals
Local requirements may differ, so families should always check with their state or local agency to confirm eligible items.
| Age Group | Monthly Benefits |
|---|---|
| Infants (0-12 months) | Food package (formula, fruits, vegetables, grains, iron-fortified cereal) |
| Children (1-4 years) | Whole milk, reduced-fat milk, or non-fat milk; whole-grain breads and cereals; fruits, vegetables, and juices; lean protein; cheese, yogurt, peanut butter |
| Pregnant and Postpartum Women | Whole milk, reduced-fat milk, or non-fat milk; whole-grain breads and cereals; iron-fortified foods; lean protein; fruits, vegetables, and juices |
Types of Approved WIC Foods
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides food assistance to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. WIC-approved foods are nutrient-rich and meet specific nutritional guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
- Milk: Whole or 2% milk, cheese, yogurt, or evaporated milk
- Fruits and vegetables: Fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish: Lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, peas, lentils, and tofu
- Grains: Whole-wheat bread, brown rice, pasta, cereal, and tortillas
- Other foods: Eggs, peanut butter, tuna, and baby food
Specific Food Categories and Subcategories
| Category | Subcategory | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Milk | Whole milk | Whole milk |
| 2% milk | 2% milk | |
| Cheese | Cheddar cheese | |
| Yogurt | Greek yogurt | |
| Fruits and vegetables | Fresh fruits | Apples |
| Frozen fruits | Strawberries | |
| Canned fruits | Peaches | |
| Dried fruits | Raisins | |
| Fresh vegetables | Carrots | |
| Frozen vegetables | Broccoli | |
| Canned vegetables | Green beans | |
| Meat, poultry, and fish | Lean meats | Ground beef |
| Poultry | Chicken breast | |
| Fish | Salmon | |
| Beans, peas, lentils | Black beans | |
| Tofu | Firm tofu | |
| Grains | Whole-wheat bread | Whole-wheat bread |
| Brown rice | Brown rice | |
| Pasta | Whole-wheat pasta | |
| Cereal | Oatmeal | |
| Tortillas | Whole-wheat tortillas | |
| Other foods | Eggs | Eggs |
| Peanut butter | Peanut butter | |
| Tuna | Canned tuna | |
| Baby food | Pureed fruits and vegetables |
What Are WIC Foods?
The WIC program provides healthy food options for low-income working families and their children. WIC-approved items include:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole-wheat bread and cereal
- Milk
- Eggs
- Peanut butter
- Tuna
- Yogurt
How to Get WIC Foods
To get WIC benefits, you must meet the following requirements:
1. You must be low-income.
2. You must be at risk of developing a health problem related to your diet.
3. You must be one of the following:
– A woman who is:
– Pregnant
– Postpartum (up to 6 months after giving birth)
– Breastfeeding (up to 1 year after giving birth)
– A child under the age of 5
– A parent or guardian of a child under the age of 5
To apply for WIC, you can:
1. Call your local WIC office.
2. Go online to the WIC website.
3. Text ‘WIC’ to 97741.
You will need to provide the following information:
1. Your contact information
2. Your family size
3. Your income
4. Your health history
Once you are approved for WIC, you will receive a WIC card. You can use your WIC card to purchase WIC-approved items at your local grocery store.
Table of WIC-Approved Foods
The following table provides a summary of the WIC-approved food categories and specific food items within each category:
| Category | WIC-Approved Foods |
|---|---|
| Fruits | Bananas, apples, oranges, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, etc. |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, carrots, celery, cucumbers, leafy greens, etc. |
| Whole-wheat bread and cereal | Whole-wheat bread, brown rice, whole-wheat cereal, etc. |
| Milk | Milk, yogurt, cheese, etc. |
| Eggs | Eggs |
| Peanut butter | Peanut butter |
| Tuna | Tuna |
| Yogurt | Yogurt |
Program Guidelines and Regulations
The WIC program is a federal program that provides nutritional assistance to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, and to infants and children up to age 5. WIC provides vouchers that can be used to purchase specific foods that are high in nutrients that are important for the health of pregnant women, new mothers, and young children.
The types of foods that are WIC-approved vary from state to state, but all WIC-approved foods must meet certain nutritional criteria. For example, WIC-approved foods must be:
- High in iron
- High in calcium
- High in protein
- Low in fat
- Low in sugar
WIC also provides nutrition education to participants, including information on how to make healthy food choices and how to prepare WIC-approved foods.
Additional Regulations
- WIC participants must meet certain income eligibility requirements.
- WIC participants must live in the state where they are applying for benefits.
- WIC participants must provide proof of income, identity, and residency.
- WIC participants must attend nutrition education classes.
Authorized WIC Vendors
WIC participants can purchase WIC-approved foods from authorized WIC vendors. Authorized WIC vendors are grocery stores, farmers markets, and other food retailers that have been approved by the USDA to participate in the WIC program.
| Item | Foods |
|---|---|
| Fruits and Vegetables | Fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables, including 100% fruit juice |
| Whole Grains | Whole-wheat bread, brown rice, oatmeal, and other whole-grain products |
| Milk and Dairy Products | Milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products |
| Protein Foods | Meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts |
Thanks for dropping by, folks! I hope you found this peek at the WIC approved items helpful. I’ll be around if you have more questions, but in the meantime, feel free to browse our other articles for more info on all things WIC. Keep us bookmarked, because we’re always adding new stuff. Catch ya later!