What is WIC?
In the US, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program that helps new mothers, and infants/children who are under five.
WIC can help you access the nutritious foods and support that you need!
Benefits of WIC include:
Free nutritious foods
Breastfeeding support
Nutrition education
Health and community resources
Food benefits help to subsidize essential and nutritious foods such as baby formula and specific nutritious food items like milk, cheese, whole grains, cereals, fruits and vegetables.
Through WIC, you can get an eWIC card, which is just like a credit card, to purchase needed food items.
Another video about using WIC benefits: https://www.facebook.com/reel/680700084506143
Many WIC participants shared their story about how WIC has allowed them to have a healthy pregnancy:
"It has been four years since I first stepped into the WIC office and what a blessing they have been to my family! When I first applied for WIC, I was pregnant with my first child. I was working as a preschool teacher and my husband was finishing up graduate school, making us a one-income family. Our grocery budget was very tight so the food vouchers were a huge blessing to us! Because of the vouchers, I was able to eat good portions of protein, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and a variety of whole-grains. I have been part of the WIC program throughout my three pregnancies. The nutrition that WIC offers, I believe, really helped me have a healthy pregnancy each time. And now, I have three beautiful children who are continuing to grow and thrive through the WIC program!"
WIC helps those of all ages, even those who are pregnant in college:
"My daughter and I started on WIC when she was 7 months old and my husband quit his job to go back to school. I exclusively breastfed her for the first year of her life while working full time, so from WIC we were able to receive healthy foods for both of us. The help with purchasing groceries has really helped us out as we are on one income while my husband is back in school. My husband is able to focus on school and spend time with our daughter instead of trying to work, go to school, and spend time with us. He had a 4.0 GPA after his first semester and we are all able to benefit from the WIC program."
These are real stories of WIC participants and how their families have benefited from WIC and how they have had successful pregnancies because of WIC benefits
“WIC Success Stories.” WIC Success Stories - MN Dept. of Health, www.health.state.mn.us/people/wic/success.html.
Even though WIC is beneficial, there can be a few issues to be mindful of:
Sometimes:
Insufficient funds at the end of the month
Limited items available through WIC
Inconvenience using WIC
HOWEVER, DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED!
WIC is there to SUPPORT YOU & YOUR FAMILY