Texas WIC Nutrition Program food packages underwent a number of changes on Oct. 1, 2009. The changes include the addition of new allowable foods as well as changes in some of the current food items. These modifications align the WIC food packages with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and current infant feeding practice guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics. WIC now provides better promotion and support for the establishment of long-term breastfeeding and better accommodation of cultural food preferences.
Summary of Food Packages
- Alignment with national dietary recommendations
- Increases fiber by adding:
- Fresh and frozen fruits, and vegetables
- Whole grain bread, oatmeal, brown rice, corn and whole wheat tortillas
- Reduces saturated fat and cholesterol by decreasing amounts of:
- Milk (low-fat milk for women and children age 2 and older)
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Delays introduction of infant cereal
- Adds infant foods, including fruits, vegetables, and meats
- Eliminates infant juice
- Better promotion and support for the establishment of long-term breastfeeding
- Breast pumps and breastfeeding support provided, as needed
- For exclusively breastfeeding women:
- Increased amount of food
- Addition of salmon
- For exclusively breastfed infants:
- Increased amounts of infant fruits and vegetables
- Addition of infant meats
- Accommodate cultural food preferences
- Tofu and soy milk as an option instead of milk
- Better accommodate special needs participants
- Supplemental foods in addition to formula
Food Packages
Food Packages
Breastfed Infants
|
6 months to 11 months
|
Infant cereal
|
24 ounces
|
Infant fruits and vegetables
|
64 - 4ounce containers
|
Infant meats
|
31 - 2.5 ounce containers
|
| |
|
Formula Fed Infants
|
0 to 5 months
|
Formula
|
Amount varies
|
6 months to 11 months
|
Infant cereal
|
24 ounces
|
Infant fruits and vegetables
|
32 - 4 ounce containers
|
| |
|
Children 12 to 23 Months
|
Milk (whole only)
|
3 gallons and 1 quart
|
Cheese
|
1 pound
|
Cereal
|
36 ounces
|
Juice (64 ounces fluid or 16 ounces frozen)
|
2 containers
|
Eggs
|
1 dozen
|
Beans
|
1 pound
|
Peanut butter
|
None
|
Fruits and vegetables
|
$6
|
Whole grains
|
2 pounds
|
| |
|
Children 2 Years and Older
|
Milk (fat-free, 1/2%, 1%, or 2%)
|
3 gallons and 1 quart
|
Cheese
|
1 pound
|
Cereal
|
36 ounces
|
Juice (64 ounces fluid or 16 ounces frozen)
|
2 containers
|
Eggs
|
1 dozen
|
Beans or peanut butter
|
1 pound or 18 ounces
|
Fruits and vegetables
|
$6
|
Whole grains
|
2 pounds
|
| |
|
Post Partum and Some Breastfeeding
|
Milk (fat-free, 1/2%, 1%, or 2%)
|
3 gallons & 1 quart
|
Cheese
|
1 pound
|
Cereal
|
36 ounces
|
Juice (48 ounces fluid or 12 ounces frozen)
|
2 containers
|
Eggs
|
1 dozen
|
Beans or Peanut Butter
|
1 pound or 18 ounces
|
Fruits & Vegetables
|
$10.00
|
Whole Grains
|
None
|
| |
|
Pregnant and mostly breastfeeding
|
Milk (fat-free, 1/2%, 1%, or 2%)
|
4 1/2 gallon & 1 quart
|
Cheese
|
1 pound
|
Cereal
|
36 ounces
|
Juice (48 ounces fluid or 12 ounces frozen)
|
3 containers
|
Eggs
|
1 dozen
|
Beans and peanut butter
|
1 pound and 18 ounces
|
Fruits and vegetables
|
$10
|
Whole grains
|
1 pound
|
| |
|
Exclusively Breastfeeding
|
Milk (fat-free, 1/2%, 1%, or 2%)
|
5 gallon and 1 quart
|
Cheese
|
2 pound
|
Cereal
|
36 ounces
|
Juice (48 ounces fluid or 12 ounces frozen)
|
3 containers
|
Eggs
|
2 dozen
|
Beans and peanut butter
|
1 pound and 18 ounces
|
Tuna or salmon
|
30 ounces
|
Fruits and vegetables
|
$10
|
Whole grains
|
1 pound
|
Contact us