WIC Food Packages – Inland Behavioral Health Services

WIC Food Packages

Your WIC Foods: A Comprehensive Guide

WIC: Nutrition Education Video

Key Takeaways

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides essential monthly food benefits to families, enhancing their food budgets and promoting nutritional health. In addition to food assistance, WIC offers nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to community resources to foster holistic family wellness.

WIC-approved foods are specifically selected to optimize nutrition for both maternal health and child development. Each family’s food package is tailored to meet the evolving nutritional needs of its members, ensuring that as preferences or medical requirements change, families can access the appropriate foods.

Monthly Food Benefits: WIC provides families with monthly food packages that include a variety of WIC-approved foods tailored to meet the nutritional needs of mothers and children.
Nutritional Support: Participants receive nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and access to community resources to enhance overall health and well-being.
Flexible Food Packages: The dollar value of each package varies based on individual needs and shopping locations, allowing families to choose from a range of healthy options.

Special Accommodations: Alternatives are available for those with food allergies or intolerances, ensuring all families can benefit from WIC.
Breastfeeding Benefits: Mothers who breastfeed receive increased food benefits, which can help sustain their energy and nutrient needs.

Understanding Your WIC Food Benefits

The dollar value of each WIC food package is determined by your or your child’s preferences, medical needs, and the store where you shop. For fruits and vegetables, a specific dollar amount is added to your WIC card, while all other benefits appear as a credit. For example, if your package includes a credit for 16 ounces of whole grains, you can choose any WIC-approved whole grain product from any participating store, regardless of the price.

To accommodate food allergies or intolerances, some alternatives are available. If you or your child have specific dietary needs, please discuss your options with your WIC counselor during your appointment for assistance.

Every month, benefits for all family members enrolled in WIC are loaded onto your WIC card. Be sure to check your WIC Food Balance regularly and plan your shopping to ensure you purchase all eligible foods before your benefit expiration date. For more tips, including how to understand your food balance in ounces, talk to you WIC counselor to learn how.

WIC Food Packages by Category

During Pregnancy

A well-balanced diet during pregnancy is crucial for both mother and baby.

The monthly package includes:

$47 for fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables
1 dozen eggs
4.5 gallons of 1% low-fat or nonfat milk (lactose-free and soy options available)
16 ounces of cheese or 32 ounces of tofu
16 ounces of whole grains (e.g., whole-wheat bread, pasta, tortillas, oatmeal, brown rice)
36 ounces of breakfast cereal
1 container of peanut butter
4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans
144 ounces of juice
32 ounces of low-fat or nonfat yogurt

Estimated value: $100-130 per month

Children Ages 1-2

The nutritional needs of toddlers are met through a diverse food package that includes:

$26 for fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables*
1 dozen eggs
3 gallons of whole milk (lactose-free and soy options available)
16 ounces of cheese or 32 ounces of tofu
32 ounces of whole grains
36 ounces of breakfast cereal
4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans or 1 jar of peanut butter
128 ounces of juice
32 ounces of whole fat yogurt

Estimated value: $90-105 per month

Children Ages 2-4

As children grow, their dietary requirements continue to evolve. The monthly package includes:

$26 for fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables*
1 dozen eggs
3 gallons of 1% low-fat or nonfat milk (lactose-free and soy options available)
16 ounces of cheese or 32 ounces of tofu
32 ounces of whole grains
36 ounces of breakfast cereal
4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans or 1 jar of peanut butter
128 ounces of juice
32 ounces of whole fat yogurt

Estimated value: $90-105 per month

Children Ages 2-4

As children grow, their dietary requirements continue to evolve. The monthly package includes:

$26 for fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables*
1 dozen eggs
3 gallons of 1% low-fat or nonfat milk (lactose-free and soy options available)
16 ounces of cheese or 32 ounces of tofu
32 ounces of whole grains
36 ounces of breakfast cereal
4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans or 1 jar of peanut butter
128 ounces of juice
32 ounces of whole fat yogurt

Estimated value: $90-105 per month

Fully Breastfeeding

Mothers who fully breastfeed may receive food, breastfeeding support, and nutrition education for up to 1 year, including:

$52 for fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables*
2 dozen eggs
5 gallons of 1% low-fat or nonfat milk (lactose-free and soy options available)
32 ounces of cheese or 64 ounces of tofu
16 ounces of whole grains
36 ounces of breakfast cereal
1 jar of peanut butter
4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans
30 ounces of canned fish
144 ounces of juice
32 ounces of low-fat or nonfat yogurt

Infants Birth through 11 months

At 9 months, receive:

Mostly Breastfeeding

Mothers who are mostly breastfeeding may receive food, breastfeeding support, and nutrition education for up to 1 year, including:

$52 for fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables*
1 dozen eggs
4.5 gallons of 1% low-fat or nonfat milk (lactose-free and soy options available)
16 ounces of cheese or 32 ounces of tofu
16 ounces of whole grains
36 ounces of breakfast cereal
1 jar of peanut butter
4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans
144 ounces of juice
32 ounces of low-fat or nonfat yogurt

Infants

Birth through 11 months –

Some / No Breastfeeding

Mothers who breastfeed some or not at all may receive food benefits for up to 6 months, along with breastfeeding support and nutrition education for up to 1 year, including:

fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables*
$52 for Some Breastfeeding
$47 for No Breastfeeding*
1 dozen eggs
3 gallons of 1% low-fat or nonfat milk (lactose-free and soy options available)
16 ounces of cheese or 32 ounces of tofu
36 ounces of breakfast cereal
1 jar of peanut butter or 4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans
96 ounces of juice
32 ounces of low-fat or nonfat yogurt

Infants

Birth through 11 months –

Conclusion

The WIC program is dedicated to supporting the nutritional needs of mothers, infants, and children, ensuring that families have access to a variety of healthy foods. By participating in WIC, you can access valuable resources, education, and support tailored to your family’s unique needs. For more information or assistance, reach out to your WIC counselor or visit your local WIC office.

Inland Behavioral and Health Services is a community-based non-profit Federally Qualified Healthcare Provider with three locations in the city of San Bernardino and one in the city of Banning.

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IBHS, Inc., is an Independent 501(c)3 non-profit community health center, governed by an independent and patient majority Board of Directors.

IBHS, Inc., is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) program grantee under 42 U.S. Code § 254b and receives funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services.

IBHS, Inc., has a Federal Public Health Service (PHS) deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims (including medical malpractice claims) for itself and its covered individuals.

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