HERE COMES THE AIRPLANE! The WIC program is celebrating 50 years of providing nutrition for eligible women and kiddos. (Photo by Yan Krukau via Pexels)

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC.  WIC is a public health nutrition program for income eligible pregnant women, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children under age 5.

WIC provides healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese, cereal, whole grains, peanut butter, beans, infant formula, and more. WIC also offers one-on-one dietitian support for nutrition and feeding recommendations, handling picky eating, transitioning from a bottle to a cup, fun food and snack ideas, and more. Additionally, WIC provides farmers market vouchers for families to buy locally grown fruits, veggies, and herbs during the summer. A study of WIC participants in Wisconsin found that 60% of new WIC participants visited a market for the first time because of WIC’s farmers market nutrition program! WIC also helps families reach their breastfeeding goals by providing breastfeeding education and support. WIC acts as a resource that connects families to other programs beyond WIC as well.

A study of WIC participants in Wisconsin found that 60% of new WIC participants visited a market for the first time because of WIC’s farmers market nutrition program!

WIC is the most studied federal nutrition program, and consistently shows positive results with improved birth outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. Data shows that WIC participation leads to healthier infants, more nutritious diets, and better health care for children and families!

• Studies indicate that WIC participation is associated with reduced risks of preterm birth and low birth weight, both of which are critical factors in infant health and development.

• WIC moms are twice as likely to plan to breastfeed and to breastfeed longer.

• Children participating in WIC generally have diets that better fulfill their nutritional requirements compared to those who don’t participate in WIC.

• Research finds that WIC participation correlates with reduced household food insecurity, including a 20% decrease in child food insecurity rates.

• Roughly half of the babies born in the United States are enrolled in the WIC Program.

In Eau Claire County, our WIC program serves more than 850 families (roughly 1,450 participants). We have a clinic in Eau Claire, as well as a clinic on the third Tuesday of the month in Augusta. Over the past year (since October 2023), more than $1.3 million has been spent at grocery stores throughout Eau Claire County.

While it’s an impactful program with proven results, WIC is only serving about half of the people who are eligible! The most common way people learn about the program is word of mouth – through friends and family. So spread the word! If you know someone that may qualify, encourage them to visit wicmomstrong.com or call us at (715) 839-5051.