1. 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.

2. WIC Food Packages

3. 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.

4. 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

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

6. 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”

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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