The New Look of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program

The WIC Program is now providing a new assortment of foods, enhanced breastfeeding support efforts and participant centered nutrition education.

The New York State WIC Program provides quantities and types of nutritious foods to eligible participants as part of what is called a "food package." Participants redeem food instruments (checks) at retail establishments for these food packages.

Faced with the challenges of the obesity epidemic, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and encouraging breastfeeding, the WIC Program's revitalized services and benefits work to improve the health outcomes of low-income women and children. The new foods are lower in fat, higher in fiber and more culturally appropriate. The goal is to help families meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Healthy People 2010 Objectives and follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for infant nutrition.

The new WIC Food Package offers:

  • foods with a lower fat content - Only 1% or skim milk is available to children two years of age and older and women. Low fat cheese and tofu are available as an option.
  • an increase in the fiber content of the foods it provides - WIC will now provide whole grain cereals, whole grain breads, canned or dried beans and cash value vouchers for vegetables and fruits. Other options include brown rice and oatmeal.
  • more vegetables and fruits for women and children - Cash value vouchers for fresh, frozen and canned vegetables and fruits are provided year round. All women will receive $10.00 in vegetable and fruit vouchers and children will receive $6.00 in vouchers.

For more information see:

How does the WIC Program promote breastfeeding?

WIC is committed to assisting mothers in establishing and continuing to breastfeed in the critical weeks after birth and beyond. Food benefits are available to the mother for the first year of breastfeeding and solid foods are provided to the infant beginning at six months of age. Mothers will also receive targeted support services, which will continue for as long as they are needed beyond the first year. Breastfeeding mothers and infants will receive food packages with the most amount of food.

For more information see:

What about mother/infant pairs who are not breastfeeding, what will they receive?

WIC will provide a pre-determined monthly allotment of infant formula. A significant change is that the quantities of formula will be adjusted according to the growth needs of the infant. A food benefit designed to meet the nutritional needs of the woman is provided up to six months postpartum.

What are the other initiatives in WIC that will achieve the health outcomes set for each participant?

The new foods are being coupled with a service approach that is participant centered and focused on achieving healthy lifestyles.

Further information on the new WIC food packages can be found on the United State's Department of Agriculture website at www.usda.gov.