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.

WIC Food Packages

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.

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 Dried and canned beans/peas Canned Fish Baby Food Infant Cereal Juice Infant Formula Soy-based beverage Tofu

Cultural Food Options Tortillas Brown rice Soy-based beverage Tofu Yogurt Wide choice of fruits and vegetables for ethnic variety Canned salmon, sardines, mackerel

Nutrition Education 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”

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

Fruits and Vegetables 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

Baby Food 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

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

Whole Wheat Bread and other Whole Grains 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 * State agency option

Milk and Milk Alternatives 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 Alternatives at State Agency option Soy-based beverage Tofu Yogurt Cheese

Canned Fish for Fully Breastfeeding Women Canned light tuna (no albacore) Other canned fish identified as lower in mercury Salmon Sardines Mackerel

Dried Beans and/or Peas or Peanut Butter 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

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