The WIC Food Packages for Women, Infants & Children are changing! This is the first major revision since 1980, when additional foods were added to the breastfeeding woman's package.
The new revisions align the WIC food packages with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and infant feeding practice guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Today's families want to know how healthy food and useful information can help them nourish their children. When you encourage healthy eating, you nurture your child's health and development. The WIC program provides new opportunities for you to choose what's best for your health and the health of your family.
WIC food packages and nutrition education are the chief means by which WIC affects the dietary quality and habits of participants
Depending on participants' eligibility status and nutritional needs, the food currently provided in the WIC food packages are: milk, eggs, cheese, juice, cereal, peanut butter, dried peas or beans, infant formula, exempt infant formula and WIC-eligible medical foods. Tuna and carrots are provided to exclusively breastfeeding women only.
The revised food packages retain the same food categories, but add new food categories and optional substitutions for some current food categories to better meet the needs of WIC's diverse population including:
Addition of fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, or canned)
Addition of soy-based beverage and tofu as milk alternatives
Addition of whole grains (cereals, bread, oats, brown rice, and soft tortillas)
Reductions in some food allowances, including milk, eggs, and juice
Elimination of infant juice
Low-fat milk only for children older than 2 and women
Click on the items below to learn more about the WIC Food Package changes.
Contact your local WIC office with any additional questions you may have regarding the new food packages. Call 1-800-WIC-WINS to be connected to the WIC office closest to your home.
