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 ProgramWIC 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 ExpandedTuna and carrots added for fully breastfeeding

women.

2009 Interim Rule Revised the Food PackagesFruits 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 OptionsYogurt 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

MilkEggsCheeseBreakfast CerealPeanut ButterFruits and VegetablesYogurt 4

Dried and canned beans/peasCanned FishBaby FoodInfant CerealJuiceInfant FormulaSoy-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

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

TortillasOatmealBulgurBarleyWhole Wheat Pasta

Whole Wheat Bread and

other Whole Grains

* State agency option

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MilkWhole milk for children 12 through 23 months of

age

Only Low-fat (1 %) or Non-fat milk (skim)

for women andchildren > 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

SalmonSardinesMackerel

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 ListsWIC State agencies have flexibility to select

foods within the parameters of Federal regulations.

For example:Specific brandsContainer/package sizesPolicies regarding specialty foods such as

organic and kosher foods Lower cost optionsProduct availability in the State

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