With WIC, you can buy healthy food for your family. This includes fruits, vegetables, milk, cheese, eggs, infant formula, whole grains, and more. WIC also provides counseling and nutrition education to help you make healthy choices for your family. To qualify for WIC, you must meet certain income guidelines and be either pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a child under the age of 5. If you think you might qualify, contact your local WIC office to apply.
Authorized Food Items
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federally funded program that provides supplemental food assistance to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children up to the age of 5.
WIC benefits can be used to purchase a variety of authorized food items, including:
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Eggs
- Canned fish
- Peanut butter
- Beans
- Whole grains
- Fruits
- Vegetables
| Category | Foods |
|---|---|
| Dairy | Milk (whole, 1%, 2%, skim) |
| Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, etc.) | |
| Yogurt | Yogurt (plain, fruit-flavored, etc.) |
| Protein | Eggs |
| Canned fish (salmon, tuna, etc.) | |
| Peanut butter | Peanut butter (smooth, crunchy, etc.) |
| Beans | Beans (black, pinto, kidney, etc.) |
| Grains | Whole grains (brown rice, oatmeal, etc.) |
| Cereal (whole grain, fortified, etc.) | |
| Bread (whole wheat, whole grain, etc.) | |
| Fruits | Fresh fruits (apples, oranges, bananas, etc.) |
| Canned fruits (peach, pear, etc.) | |
| Vegetables | Fresh vegetables (carrots, broccoli, etc.) |
| Canned vegetables (corn, green beans, etc.) |
WIC Voucher Categories
The WIC program provides vouchers to eligible participants to purchase specific foods. These vouchers are divided into different categories, each of which covers a different type of food.
- Fruits and Vegetables: This category includes fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables, as well as 100% fruit juices.
- Whole Grains: This category includes whole-wheat bread, brown rice, oatmeal, and other whole-grain products.
- Milk: This category includes milk, yogurt, and cheese.
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish: This category includes lean meats, poultry, and fish.
- Eggs: This category includes eggs.
- Beans and Legumes: This category includes beans, lentils, and peas.
- Infant Formula: This category includes infant formula for babies who are not breastfeeding.
The amount of vouchers that participants receive in each category varies depending on their age, income, and family size. WIC vouchers can be used at authorized grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
| Category | Eligible Foods |
|---|---|
| Fruits and Vegetables | Fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables; 100% fruit juices |
| Whole Grains | Whole-wheat bread, brown rice, oatmeal, and other whole-grain products |
| Milk | Milk, yogurt, and cheese |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish | Lean meats, poultry, and fish |
| Eggs | Eggs |
| Beans and Legumes | Beans, lentils, and peas |
| Infant Formula | Infant formula for babies who are not breastfeeding |
Eligible Supplemental Foods
The WIC program provides a variety of supplemental foods to eligible women, infants, and children. These foods are designed to help improve the nutritional status of participants and to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
- Infants: Breast milk, iron-fortified formula, infant cereal, fruits, vegetables, and juice.
- Children: Milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, beans, peas, lentils, fruits, vegetables, and juice.
- Women: Milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, beans, peas, lentils, fruits, vegetables, and juice.
- Postpartum women: Milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, beans, peas, lentils, fruits, vegetables, and juice.
| Food | Serving Size |
|---|---|
| Milk | 8 ounces |
| Cheese | 1 ounce |
| Yogurt | 6 ounces |
| Eggs | 2 |
| Beans, peas, lentils | 1/2 cup cooked |
| Fruits | 1 cup fresh, frozen, or canned |
| Vegetables | 1 cup fresh, frozen, or canned |
| Juice | 4 ounces |
## What Can You Purchase With Food Assistance Program Coverage?
Food assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), provide financial assistance to low-income individuals and families to purchase nutritious food. Here’s what you can purchase with coverage from these programs:
* **Fruits and vegetables:** Fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
* **Meat, poultry, and fish:** These are good sources of protein, iron, and other nutrients.
* **Dairy products:** Milk, cheese, yogurt, and eggs are rich in calcium, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients.
* **Bread, cereal, and pasta:** These foods provide carbohydrates and fiber, which are important for energy and digestive health.
* **Other foods:** In some cases, food assistance coverage may extend to other items such as peanut butter, tofu, and baby formula.
However, there are certain items that are excluded from food assistance coverage, including:
* **Alcoholic beverages**
* **Tobacco products**
* **Pet food**
* **Non-food items** (e.g., household supplies, clothing)
**Table of Eligible Foods:**
| Food Category | Eligible Items |
|—|—|
| Fruits | Apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, etc. |
| Vegetables | Carrots, celery, tomatoes, onions, etc. |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish | Chicken, beef, pork, fish, etc. |
| Dairy Products | Milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs |
| Bread, Cereal, and Pasta | Whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, pasta |
| Other Foods | Peanut butter, tofu, baby formula (in some cases) |
Well, there you have it! A little something for everyone in the WIC family. Remember, WIC is here to help you and your family eat healthy and live well. Thanks for reading, and come back soon for more helpful tips and information. In the meantime, remember to spread the word about WIC to any mamas or kiddos you know who could benefit from our services!