Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for

Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

WIC’s mission is to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and

children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.

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WIC Food Packages

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History of the WIC Food Packages 1974 WIC Becomes a Permanent Program

WIC food packages include infant formula, exempt infant formula and WIC medical foods, milk, eggs, cheese, juice, cereal, peanut butter, and dried peas or beans.

1992 Foods for Breastfeeding Women Expanded Tuna and carrots added for fully breastfeeding women.

2009 Interim Rule Revised the Food Packages Fruits and vegetables, and whole grains added to the food categories. Soy-based beverage, tofu added to State agency food options.

2014 Final Rule Added More Options Yogurt and whole wheat pasta added to State agency food options.

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WIC Provides Healthy Foods

WIC food packages align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the infant feeding practice guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics

Whole-wheat Bread and other Whole Grains

Milk

Eggs

Cheese

Breakfast Cereal

Peanut Butter

Fruits and Vegetables

Yogurt

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Dried and canned beans/peas

Canned Fish

Baby Food

Infant Cereal

Juice

Infant Formula

Soy-based beverage

Tofu

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Tortillas

Brown rice

Soy-based beverage

Tofu

Yogurt

Wide choice of fruits and vegetables for ethnic variety

Canned salmon, sardines, mackerel

Cultural Food Options

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Nutrition Education Based on Individual Assessments

WIC Food Packages Complement Nutrition Messages

• “Eat more fruits and vegetables” • “Lower saturated fat” • “Increase whole grains and fiber” • “Drink less sweetened beverages and

juice” • “Babies are meant to be breastfed”

Nutrition Education

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Fully breastfeeding mothers receive the most variety and the largest quantity of food.

Breastfeeding is a Priority in WIC Fully breastfeeding infants > 6 months receive larger quantities of baby food fruits and vegetables, they also receive baby food meat.

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Cash value-vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables

• $8 for children • $10 for women

Participants may choose from a wide variety of fruits and vegetables (white potatoes are excluded)

Frozen, canned and dried allowed as a State agency option

Fruits and Vegetables

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Infant fruits and vegetables for infants 6 – 12 months

Infant meats for fully breastfed infants 6 – 12 months

Infant cereal for infants 6 – 12 months

Baby Food

Breakfast cereals

Hot and cold breakfast cereals At least half of the cereals on a State agency’s food list must be whole grain

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Whole wheat or whole grain bread for children and women

Whole grain options *

Brown Rice Soft Corn and Whole Grain Tortillas Oatmeal Bulgur Barley Whole Wheat Pasta

Whole Wheat Bread and

other Whole Grains

* State agency option

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Milk

Whole milk for children 12 through 23 months of age

Only

Low-fat (1 %) or

Non-fat milk (skim) for women and children > 2 years of age

Milk and Milk Alternatives Alternatives at State Agency option

Soy-based beverage

Tofu

Yogurt

Cheese

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Canned light tuna (no albacore)

Other canned fish identified as lower in mercury

Salmon Sardines Mackerel

Canned Fish for Fully Breastfeeding Women

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Children and postpartum women receive dried beans/peas or peanut butter

Pregnant and breastfeeding women receive both dried beans and peanut butter

Canned beans may be substituted for dried beans for all children and women

Dried Beans and/or Peas

or Peanut Butter

State Agency Food Lists

WIC State agencies have flexibility to select foods within the parameters of Federal regulations.

For example:

Specific brands Container/package sizes Policies regarding specialty foods such as organic and

kosher foods Lower cost options Product availability in the State

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