VIRGINIA WIC Food List 2018 Inside front cover
Nutrition for a Healthy Future
The foods that you get from WIC provide nutrients that are important for good health and development. WIC foods are meant to add to what you already buy and are rich in calcium, protein, iron, fiber, and vitamins A, D, and C. Choose the foods that your family likes based on what is listed on your WIC Shopping List and what is available where you shop. WIC nutritionists will offer tips about feeding your children and ideas to improve your whole family’s health and nutrition. Successful Shopping Tips
BEFORE YOU SHOP WHILE YOU SHOP • Look at your WIC shopping list or • Shop for WIC foods at Authorized Virginia WIC Retailers recent receipt to check your available that display the “eWIC Accepted Here” window decal. benefit balance. • Choose only WIC-approved items from this Food List and make sure you • Check the dates of the benefit period. have the correct quantities indicated on your WIC shopping list/benefit Shop before the “Last Day to Spend” to balance. Keep in mind that retailers may not carry all of the items listed prevent unused benefits from expiring. or pictured. • Bring your eWIC card, WIC Food List, • Look for WIC shelf labels to identify WIC approved foods and WIC shopping list or recent benefit in the following categories: balance to the store. . Breakfast Cereals . 1% and Skim/Fat-Free Milk . Cheese . Yogurt . Peanut Butter . Juice AT THE CHECKOUT • Some stores require eWIC transactions to be made in specific checkout lanes. Check with customer service if you are unsure which lanes accept eWIC cards as payment. • Tell the cashier you are using your eWIC card and ask if you need to separate your groceries. • Use your eWIC card before other forms of payment. • Keep your receipt after every eWIC card purchase. It shows your available food benefit balance and the Last Day to Spend (LDTS) your current benefits.
1 Fruits and Vegetables
Cash Value Benefits are used to purchase WIC-eligible fruits and vegetables. These include fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables. Your cash value benefits will appear on your shopping list as a dollar amount. If the cost of your fruits and vegeta- bles are more than the dollar amount available on the cash value benefit, you may put something back or pay the difference with another form of payment (SNAP, cash or credit/debit card).
• Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are often less expensive • Buying fruits and vegetables in their whole form is cheaper. than fresh fruits and vegetables when they are not in season. Although pre-cut, pre-washed, and ready-to-eat fruits and • Some fresh fruits and vegetables won’t last long after you bring vegetables are convenient, they often cost more. them home. Buy small amounts more often so that you can eat • Organic fruits and vegetables are typically more expensive than them without throwing any away. similar non-organic varieties. Make your choice based on the factors • Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables can be bought in large that are important to you. quantities when they are on sale because they can be stored much longer. 2 FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES BUY Whole, cut, or bagged fruits and vegetables Organic or non-organic Choose any brand
DON’T BUY: • added fats and sugars • fruit leather/fruit roll-ups • olives • salad kits with dressing or other • breaded vegetables • chili peppers or garlic on a string • decorative fruits and vegetables food items (including croutons) • dried vegetables and fruits • herbs and spices (including gourds, painted • veggie chips (including prunes or raisins) • salad dressings pumpkins) • single serve containers • edible blossoms or flowers • fruit and vegetable trays • salad bar items • fruit baskets • nuts 3 Fruits and Vegetables FROZEN FRUITS & VEGETABLES BUY Organic or non-organic Includes frozen beans or peas Frozen Raspberries Choose any brand
DON’T BUY: • added sugars, artificial sweeteners, • combinations with breaded • pizza syrups, fats, oils, flavorings, seasonings vegetables, rice or pasta • popsicles, fruit bars, fruit smoothies • herbs and spices • vegetables with added meats • single serve containers • vegetables with cream, cheese, butter sauces • soup
4 CANNED FRUITS Choose containers CANNED VEGETABLES BUY that say: BUY 100% 100% NATURAL Organic or non-organic NATURAL • “In its Own Juice” Organic or non-organic Water or juice packed Regular or low-sodium • “100% Fruit Juice” Includes unsweetened Whole, diced, crushed, or pureed applesauce F R U IT • “Naturally Sweet” tomatoes; tomato paste Choose any brand • “Unsweetened” Choose any brand
DON’T BUY: DON’T BUY: • ketchup, stewed tomatoes, tomato • added sugars, artifi cial sweet- • fruit cocktail • added sugars, artifi cial sweeteners, sauces (including pizza and spaghetti), eners, syrups, fats, oils, fl avorings, • cranberry sauce syrups, fats, oils, fl avorings, seasonings salsa seasonings (including cinnamon) • cocktail cherries • herbs and spices • canned vegetables with added meats • herbs and spices • pie fi lling • cream, cheese, butter sauces • baked beans or pork and beans • canned fruits with added salt • single serve containers • pickled vegetables (including • dry or canned beans included in the sauerkraut), pickles, relish, olives legume category • combinations with rice or pasta • soups • single serve containers 5 Fruits and Vegetables Whole Grains Essential WHOLE WHEAT BREADS Best Yet Bimbo Everyday Food Lion BUY 16 oz. (1 pound) package size only Choose from the following WIC eligible brands and varieties 100% Whole 100% Whole 100% Whole 100% Whole Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Giant Gourmet Harris Teeter Healthy Life Kerns Kroger
Stone Ground 100% 100% Wheat Bread 100% Whole 100% Whole 100% Whole 100% Whole Wheat 100% Whole 100% Whole Wheat Bread (No Salt Added) Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Whole Grain Bread Wheat Bread Wheat Bread 6 Nature’s Own Nature’s Promise Our Family Pepperidge Farm Roman Meal Sara Lee
Whole Wheat W/ Natural 100% Whole 100% Whole 100% Whole Very Thin 100% Sungrain 100% 100% Whole Classic 100% Whole Honey Bread Wheat Sandwich Bread Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Whole Wheat Bread Whole Wheat Wheat Bread Wheat Bread
Schmidt’s Shop Rite Signature Weis Wonder Select DON’T BUY: • organic varieties • varieties with artifi cial sweeteners or added ingredients (including herbs, peppers, cheese, cinnamon, raisins) Old Tyme 100% 100% Whole 100% Whole 100% Whole Soft 100% Whole 100% Whole • English muffi ns/rolls/buns Whole Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Wheat Bread
7 Whole Grains Whole Grains WHOLE WHEAT PASTA BUY 16 oz. (1 pound) package size only Choose from the following WIC eligible brands and varieties
Barilla Essential Everyday Food Club Great Value Hodgson Mill H.T. Traders Kroger Whole Grain Whole Wheat Whole Wheat Whole Wheat Whole Wheat Whole Wheat Whole Grain 8
• Angel Hair • Rotini • Elbow Macaroni • Penne Rigate • Elbows • Angel Hair • Capellini • Penne Rigate • Elbows • Spaghetti • Penne Rigate • Spaghetti • Linguine • Elbows • Fusilli • Rotini • Linguine • Thin Spaghetti • Rotini • Penne • Spaghetti • Penne Rigate • Spaghetti • Medium Shells • Spaghetti • Rotini • Spirals • Rigatoni • Thin Spaghetti • Penne • Thin Spaghetti • Spaghetti • Thin Spaghetti • Spaghetti • Thin Spaghetti 8 WHOLE WHEAT PASTA BROWN RICE BUY Our Family Racconto Ronzoni Weis Quality Whole Wheat Whole Wheat Whole Grain Whole Wheat 16 oz. (1 pound) package size only Bag or box containers Regular, instant, and quick varieties Choose any brand • Rotini • Capellini • Penne Rigate • Linguine • Angel Hair • Spaghetti • Elbows • Rigatoni • Penne Rigate • Penne Rigate • Farfalle • Rotini • Rotini • Rotini DON’T BUY: • Linguine • Spaghetti • Spaghetti • Spaghetti • organic varieties • Thin Spaghetti • varieties with added sugars/artificial sweeteners/salt/ fats/oils/flavorings • rice mixes DON’T BUY: • specialty rice including jasmine, basmati, wild • organic varieties • varieties with added ingredients (including • refrigerated or frozen varieties seasoning, vegetables, protein, fiber) • pasta meals
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Whole Grains Whole Grains BUY 16 oz. (1 pound) package size only TORTILLAS Choose from the following WIC eligible brands Best Choice Celia’s Chi Chi’s Don Pancho Essential Everyday
whole wheat corn whole wheat corn whole wheat white corn whole wheat white corn whole wheat white corn
Food Club Food Lion Giant Guerrero Hy-Top Kroger
whole wheat white corn whole wheat whole wheat yellow corn white corn world menu white corn yellow corn whole wheat yellow corn 10 TORTILLAS La Banderita La Burrita Lowes Mi Cassa Mission Ortega
whole wheat white corn corn whole wheat whole wheat whole wheat whole wheat yellow corn whole wheat fajita
Our Family Siempre Signature Tio Santi Wegmans Weis DON’T BUY: Authentico Kitchens • organic varieties • refrigerated varieties • varieties with added ingredients (including herbs, peppers, cheese) • corn tortilla chips • hard shell tortilla/taco shell, taco kits • wraps, flatbreads, pita whole wheat yellow corn white corn whole wheat whole wheat whole wheat whole wheat whole wheat 11
Whole Grains Legumes
DRIED PEAS, BEANS, LENTILS CANNED BEANS canned PEANUT BUTTER beans Peanut BUY BUY BUY Butter 16 oz. (1 pound) 15 oz. to 16 oz. can size only 16oz. to 18oz. jar size only package size only Choose any brand and single variety Choose WIC approved national and store brands Choose any brand and single variety Regular, low-sodium, salt-free Choose from the following varieties: • Chunky • Extra crunchy • Creamy • Smooth DON’T BUY: DON’T BUY: • Crunchy • organic varieties • organic varieties • varieties with added fats, oils, sugars, meats, • varieties with added fats, oils, sugars, meats, flavors DON’T BUY: flavors • organic or natural • honey roasted • combination, mixes • combination, mixes • dried beans with seasoning packets varieties • fortified, added vitamins • soup mixes • fresh and frozen immature varieties (including • blends • freshly ground • fresh and frozen immature varieties (including green peas, snap peas, green beans) that can be • low-fat or reduced-fat • whipped green peas, snap peas, green beans) that can be purchased using WIC Cash Value Benefits • low-sugar • peanut spreads purchased using WIC Cash Value Benefits • low-sodium 12 Canned Fish Shopping Tip
Available to women who are fully 1 CONTAINER OF LEGUMES breastfeeding, mostly breastfeeding multiples, or pregnant with more than 1 pound (16 oz.) package dry mature beans, peas, one baby. or lentils
TU N A PINK PACKED OR IN WATER SALMON SA N canned canned canned TUNA LMO canned beans beans beans beans BUY 4 (15-16 oz.) cans BUY mature beans Chunk light, water packed tuna only Alaskan or Pink salmon only 5.0 oz. to 6.5 oz. can size only 7.5 oz. or 14.75 oz. can size only OR Choose any brand Choose any brand 1 (16-18 oz.) jar of Peanut peanut butter Butter DON’T BUY: • organic or fl avored varieties • pouches, single serving, • solid, white, and/or albacore • low-sodium lunch packs, or ready to serve 13 Legumes | Peanut Butter | Canned Fish Milk | Eggs | Cheese | Yogurt Shopping Tip MILK Cow’s Milk WAYS TO BUY A GALLON BUY (As prescribed or listed on your WIC benefi t balance) Choose the best value or WIC eligible brand only Gallon, Half-Gallon, and Quart size containers only = = Specialty Milk BUY (As prescribed or listed on your WIC benefi t balance) 4 QUARTS 2 HALF GALLONS ONE GALLON Lactose-Free Milk Ultra High Temperature (UHT) Milk Choose any brand, in the following sizes Choose any brand only: 96 oz., Half-Gallon, Quart DON’T BUY: Soy Milk - Choose from the following brands and varieties • organic varieties • varieties not listed • ½% milk including buttermilk, • sweetened or goat, almond, coconut, fl avored varieties cashew, rice, kefi r 8th Continent Soy: Pacifi c Natural Foods Ultra Soy: Silk: • deluxe skim • light or fat-free soy milk 64 oz., refrigerated, 32 oz., shelf stable, original or 32 oz., shelf stable, original fl avor • added calcium • raw/unpasteurized milk original or vanilla vanilla fl avor 64 oz., refrigerated, original fl avor • dry, evaporated, fl avor 64 oz. 2 pack/128 oz., refrigerated, original fl avor condensed varieties 14 EGGS CHEESE YOGURT BUY BUY BUY Large, white, grade A or AA 16 oz. (1 pound) package size only 32 oz. container size only One dozen carton size only Prepackaged in block or sliced form only Plain or vanilla flavor Choose any brand Regular, reduced-fat, fat-free or low-sodium Whole, low or nonfat (As prescribed Choose WIC approved national and store brands or listed on your eWIC shopping list) Choose from the following varieties: Choose WIC approved national and . American store brands . Cheddar . Monterey Jack . Mozzarella (whole or part-skim) . Swiss
DON’T BUY: DON’T BUY: DON’T BUY: • organic varieties • organic or mixed varieties • organic or specialty varieties, • egg substitutes • cheese product, imitation cheese, cheese spread including Greek • brown eggs • blended cheese food • varieties with artificial sweeteners • pre-boiled eggs • varieties with added ingredients or flavors, including and added ingredients like granola, • specialty eggs including smoked cheese candy, honey, nuts or fruit on the bottom low-cholesterol (Eggland’s Best), • imported cheese • drinkable or pouch varieties Omega-3 enriched • cheese sticks, string cheese, individually wrapped • infant yogurt slices, deli-sliced, cubed or shredded • variety packs 15 Milk | Eggs | Cheese | Yogurt Cold Cereals BUY: = A minimum of 51% g = Gluten Free WAYS TO BUY UP TO 12 oz. or larger, up to 36 oz. whole grain cereal 36 oz OF CEREAL Always Save Best Choice g
18 18 12 oz. 12 12 oz. oz. oz. oz. Corn Flakes Crisp Rice Frosted Toasted Oats Corn Crisps Best Choice Shredded Wheat Totals 36 oz. Totals 36 oz. g
24 oz. 21 Crispy Corn Enriched Bran Frosted Shredded 15 oz. Corn Flakes Crisp Rice 12 oz. and Rice Flakes Wheat oz. Best Choice g
Totals 36 oz. Totals 36 oz. Buy any combination of hot or cold WIC
approved cereals, totaling 36 ounces Happy O’s Honey Oat Nutty Nuggets Rice Crisps Shredded Wheat Clusters Maple & Brown Sugar 16 Best Choice Best Yet
Shredded Wheat Wheat Crisps Wheat Flakes Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Crispy Rice Honey Oats & Flakes Strawberry Best Yet Better Valu Essential Everyday
Shredded Wheat Strawberry Toasted Oats Corn Flakes Bite Size Frosted Corn Flakes Crispy Hexagons Frosted Shredded Wheat Shredded Wheat Essential Everyday g g
Crispy Rice Crunchy Corn Crunchy Oat Crunchy Rice Crunchy Wheat Honey and MultiGrain Squares Squares Squares Squares Oat Clusters Toasted Oats 17 Breakfast Cereals g = A minimum of 51% g = Gluten Free Cold Cereals whole grain cereal Essential Everyday Food Club
Nutty Nuggets Toasted Oats Wheat Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Corn Squares Crisp Rice Essential Choice Bran Flakes Food Club g g
Strawberry Frosted Frosted Shredded Honey and Oats Rice Squares Toasted Oats Twin Grain Crisp Wheat Squares Wheat Shredded Wheat Food Lion g
Corn Flakes Crispy Hexagons Crispy Rice Enriched Wheat Frosted Multigrain Oats & More Bran Flakes Shredded Wheat Tasteeos with Honey 18 Food Lion General Mills g g g g
Strawberry Tasteeos Toasted Rice Berry Berry Cheerios Cinnamon Corn Chex Shredded Wheat Kix Chex General Mills
g g Giant g
Fiber One Honey Honey Kix Kix Multigrain Rice Chex Total Whole Vanilla Chex Clusters Cheerios Grain General Mills Giant g g
Wheat Chex Wheaties Be Well Toasted Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Corn Squares Crispers Rice Flakes 19 Breakfast Cereals = A minimum of 51% g = Gluten Free Cold Cereals whole grain cereal
Giant
Crispy Rice Frosted Honey Crunchin Nutty Nuggets Oat Squares Oats and O’s Oats and O’s Shredded Wheat Oats Multigrain Giant Great Value g
Rice Squares Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Corn Squares Crunchy Crunchy Frosted Honey Oats Nuggets Shredded Wheat Great Value g
O’s Oat Cereal Oat Crunch Multi Grain O’s Rice Crispers Rice Squares Shredded Wheat Wheat Squares 20 Harris Teeter
Corn Flakes Crisp 6 Crispy Rice Enriched Bran Frosted Bite-Sized Frosted Shredded Livewise Flakes Shredded Wheat Wheat Strawberry
Harris Teeter Hy•Top g
Nutty Bites Oats & More Rice Squares (G Toasted Oats Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Crisp Rice with Honey Hy•Top IGA g
Crispy Honey Frosted Shredded Shredded Wheat Toasted Oats Bite Size Shredded Corn Flakes Corn Squares Oats & Flakes Wheat Wheat 21 Breakfast Cereals Cold Cereals = A minimum of 51% g = Gluten Free whole grain cereal
IGA g
Crispy Corn & Rice Crispy Rice Enriched Bran Frosted Shredded Nutty Nuggets Original Toasted Rice Squares Flakes Wheat Oats
IGA Kellogg’s
Tasteeos All-Bran Corn Flakes Crispix Frosted Mini Wheats Frosted Mini Frosted Mini Little Bites Wheats Original Wheats Raspberry Kellogg’s Kiggins
Mini Wheats Unfrosted Rice Krispies Special K Original Bite Size Shredded Wheat Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Crispy Rice 22 Kiggins Kroger
Frosted Shredded Rollin’ Oats Blueberry Frosted Corn Flakes Wheat Bran Flakes Crispy Rice Frosted Shredded Shredded Wheat Wheat Kroger Laura Lynn g g
Strawberry Toasted Oats Bite Size Corn Living Well Nutty Nuggets Oat Squares Rice Bitz Frosted Shredded Wheat Laura Lynn g g
Bite Size Rice Corn Flakes Crisp Rice Frosted Shredded Hexa Crisp Honey & Oats Multigrain Wheat Toasted Oats 23 Breakfast Cereals = A minimum of 51% g = Gluten Free Cold Cereals whole grain cereal
Laura Lynn Lowes Foods
Toasted Oats Wheat Bran Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Crispy Rice Frosted Shredded Oats & More with Flakes Wheat Honey Lowes Foods Malt O Meal Our Family g
Tasteeos Twin Grain Crisp Crispy Rice Frosted Mini Strawberry Mini 4 Corner Crunch Bite Size Frosted Spooners Spooners Original Shredded Wheat Our Family
Bite Size Shredded Corn Biscuits Corn Flakes Crispy Hexagons Crispy Rice High Fiber Bran MultiGrain Wheat Strawberry Flakes Toasted Oats 24 Our Family Parade Piggly Wiggly g
Oats & More with Rice Biscuits Toasted Oats Corn Flakes Crisp Rice Toasted Oats Corn Flakes Frosted Shredded Toasted Oats Honey Wheat Post Price Rite
Alpha-Bits Bran Flakes Grape Nuts Flakes Grape Nuts Honey Bunches of Honey Bunches of Honey Bunches of Honey Bunches of Bite Size Frosted Original Oats Roasted Oats Honey Crunch Oats Cinnamon Oats Vanilla Shredded Wheat Price Rite Publix
Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Crisp Rice Toasted Oats Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Crispy Corn & Crispy Rice Frosted Wheat Rice 25 Breakfast Cereals = A minimum of 51% g = Gluten Free Cold Cereals whole grain cereal Publix Ralston Foods g
Multi Grain Nutty Nuggets Original Oat Shredded Wheat Toasted Oats Corn Biscuits Corn Flakes Toasted Crunch Ralston Foods Ralston Foods g g
Crisp Rice Crispy Hexagons Frosted Shredded Oat Wise Oats & More with Rice Biscuits Shredded Wheat Tasteeos Wheat Bran Wheat Bite Size Honey Bite Size Flakes Shur Fine Signature Kitchens
Bran Flakes Crisp Rice Frosted Bite-Size Frosted Bite-Size Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Crispy Rice Live It Up! Shredded Wheat Shredded Wheat Shredded Wheat 26 = A minimum of 51% g = Gluten Free Cold Cereals whole grain cereal Signature Kitchens Sunbelt Bakery Valu Time Wegmans g
Oats & More Rice Pockets Toasted Oats Simple Granola Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Toasted Oats Corn Flakes with Honey Wegmans Weis g
Toasted Oats Corn Flakes Crispy Hexagons Crispy Rice Essentially You Multigrain Oats & More Shredded Wheat Toasted Oats with Honey Bite Size Weis g g
Toasted Corn Toasted Oats Shredded Wheat Frosted Toasted Rice Wheat Bran Flakes Wheat Flakes 27 Breakfast Cereals = A minimum of 51% g = Gluten Free Hot Cereals whole grain cereal
BUY: 11.8 oz. or larger
Best Choice Best Yet Cream of Rice Cream of Wheat g g
Instant Oatmeal Creamy Wheat Instant Oatmeal Hot Cereal Instant Hot Instant Original Instant Whole Original Original Cereal Grain
Essential Cream of Wheat Everyday Food Club Food Lion Giant Great Value Harris Teeter
Original 1 Minute Original Whole Grain Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal 2 ½ Minute 2 ½ Minute Original Regular Regular Original Original Original
28 HyTop IGA Kroger Laura Lynn Lowes Foods Malt O Meal Our Family
Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Co Co Wheats Farina Hot Wheat Cereal Instant Oatmeal Regular Regular Original Original Original Regular
Signature Price Rite Publix Ralston Foods Kitchens Weis
Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Creamy Wheat Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Original Original Regular Original Original
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Breakfast Cereals Juice
FROZEN JUICE Food Club Shurfi ne All brands of apple, grape apple 100% orange (For Women Only) Signature juice and BUY Food Lion apple Kitchens 100% grape- Unsweetened, apple fruit juice in 100% single variety fruit juice Giant the following 12 oz. size containers only apple, grape Tipton Grove apple Choose from the following WIC container eligible brands and varieties Great Value sizes are WIC apple, grape Tree Top apple approved: • 12 oz: frozen Always Save Harris Teeter Valu Time apple apple apple • 64 oz: refrigerated • 64 oz: shelf stable Best Choice Hy-Top Wegmans apple, grape apple, grape apple
Best Yet Kroger Weis apple apple, grape apple Essential Old Orchard DON’T BUY: apple, grape • organic varieties • blended varieties • reduced acid Everyday white grape apple, grape • varieties with added • fruit drinks, fruit punch, • infant juice Our Family sugar or artifi cial juice cocktail apple sweeteners 30 LIQUID JUICE (For Children Only) BUY Food Club Kroger Shurfi ne Unsweetened, apple, grape, white grape apple, grape, white grape apple, grape, white grape 100% single variety Food Lion Laura Lynn apple, grape, white grape apple, grape, white grape Signature fruit juice Kitchens 64 oz. size containers Giant apple, grape only, shelf stable or apple, grape, white grape Lowes apple, grape, white grape refrigerated Tipton Grove Great Value apple, grape Choose from the following apple, grape, white grape Mott’s WIC eligible brands and apple Tree Top varieties Harris Teeter apple, grape, white grape Old Orchard apple Always Save apple, grape, white grape apple Harvest Classic Our Family Valu Time Apple and Eve apple apple, grape, white grape apple, grape, white grape apple white grape Hy-Top Piggly Wiggly Wegmans Best Choice apple, grape, white grape apple, grape, white grape apple, grape apple, grape, white grape Weis IGA Price Rite apple, grape, white grape Best Yet apple, grape, white grape apple, grape apple, grape, white grape Welch’s grape, white grape Essential Juicy Juice Publix apple, grape, white grape Everyday apple, grape White House apple, grape, white grape apple 31 Juice WIC Encourages and Supports Breastfeeding
Mother’s milk has everything a baby needs to grow and stay healthy. Doctors strongly recommend breastfeeding for the fi rst year, and longer if desired by mother and baby.
Breastfeeding Breastfeeding Breastfeeding Benefi ts Babies Benefi ts Moms Benefi ts Families • Best possible nutrition • Reduces the risk of • Saves money, time, and the • Reduces the risk of infant chronic diseases, breast, environment illnesses, diarrhea, and and ovarian cancers • Builds a foundation for a SIDS • Promotes weight loss life time of good health • Reduces the risk of chronic after pregnancy • Prepares babies for inter- disease including diabetes, • Always ready and at the active play asthma, heart disease, and right temperature Allows babies to stay cancer • • Economical and saves healthier – moms and dads • Increases baby’s immunity money don’t have to miss work to fi ght diseases and prevent allergies Always clean and safe Exclusively breastfeeding mothers and their babies are • eligible to receive extra food benefi ts from WIC. • Easy to digest – Contact your local WIC offi ce for breastfeeding support immediately ready to help and feeding tips. baby grow 32 Infant Food | Infant Cereal | Infant Formula INFANT CEREAL INFANT FOOD Buying Infant Food BUY Infant Fruits and Vegetables 8 oz. container size only BUY Fruits and Vegetables Rice and oatmeal varieties only 4 oz. container size only Choose any brand Choose single ingredients or = 4 OZ. combinations of fruits and vegetables 4 oz. (i.e., apple-banana, apple-sweet potato, etc.) DON’T BUY: Choose any brand • mixed cereals • organic varieties = 4 OZ. • varieties that include DHA, fruit, formula, 2 oz. 2 pack and/or yogurt Infant Meats (Available to exclusively breastfed infants 6-11 months only) = 8 OZ. INFANT FORMULA BUY Choose the brand, variety, and type 4 oz. 2 pack listed on your food prescription or eWIC 2.5 oz. container size only shopping list only. Choose any brand Choose from the following varieties: DON’T BUY: • Beef and broth/gravy • pouches • Chicken and broth/gravy • organic varieties • Ham and broth/gravy • desserts, dinners, or casseroles • mixtures with added DHA/ARA, salt, sugar, • Turkey and broth/gravy cheese, cereal, or pasta 33
Infant Food | Infant Cereal | Infant Formula Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy my WIC food? Do I have to separate my WIC foods from other foods Your WIC benefits can only be purchased at Virginia WIC that I am buying? approved stores. Look for the “eWIC Accepted Here” window Although it is not required to separate your WIC foods at all decal to identify approved stores. Your local WIC office can stores, it is a good practice to follow. You may also want to also help you find approved stores in your area. present any coupons ahead of time, so that the cashier knows how to best ring up your purchase. Are WIC eligible foods identified at the store? WIC approved stores will use shelf labels to identify WIC eligible What should I do with my eWIC card after my benefits foods in the following categories: 1%/fat-free milk, cheese, yo- are used for the month? gurt, juice, peanut butter, and breakfast cereals. Eligible foods You will use the same eWIC card every month to redeem your in the other categories are identified within this food list. WIC benefits. It’s important to keep your card safe with the black strip clean and free from scratches. Do not store your Do I have to buy every item on my shopping list at card near your cell phone, magnets, or hot places like the dash- one time? board of the car; this could cause your card to stop working. You do not have to buy all your foods at one time. Buy what When will I be able to use my WIC benefits? you need. As food items are purchased with your eWIC card, Your WIC benefits will be in loaded onto your eWIC card at these items will be deducted from the available balance. 12:00 midnight on the First Date to Spend (FDTS) and will expire at 12:00 midnight on the Last Day to Spend (LDTS). Can I use my eWIC card at any checkout lane? Some stores require eWIC transactions to be made in specific What happens if all of my WIC foods are not purchased checkout lanes. Check with customer service if you are unsure this month, will these benefits roll over to the next month? which lanes accept eWIC cards as payment. No, any benefits that are not used will expire on the Last Day to Spend (LDTS) and cannot be used later. 34 How do I check my benefit balance? Why did the cashier tell me that the item I am trying to • Check your last store receipt from the current month buy is not allowed using my eWIC card? • Perform a balance inquiry at the store If a food is not allowed as an eWIC purchase, it might be • Call customer service at 1-877-677-5963 because: • If you receive text messages from WIC, you may send • you do not have enough benefits left the BAL (balance inquiry) text command to WICVA from • it is not on your food prescription your mobile phone • it is not a Virginia WIC eligible food • it is not in the Virginia WIC APL Can I change the foods listed on my shopping list? If this happens, keep your receipt, take a picture of the food If you have concerns about your WIC food prescription, and barcode, and contact your local WIC office. contact your local WIC office. Food substitutions may not be made at the store. WIC foods can only be exchanged for the What should I do if I have problems at the grocery exact same item. WIC foods cannot be returned to the store for cash, credit or exchanged for different items. store? If you have a problem at the grocery store, ask to talk with What if I run out of food and I have already used all of the store manager. If the issue cannot be resolved at the my WIC benefits? store, contact your local WIC office to discuss your concerns. The WIC program is only meant to “supplement” your diet. You may be asked to provide the following: The foods you receive at WIC are not intended to meet all of • Store name, address, and phone number your nutritional needs. You will need to purchase additional • Date and time of the incident foods on your own, including infant formula. • Name(s) of store personnel involved (store manager, cashier, etc.) Your local WIC office can offer referrals to food assistance • Food item name, UPC (barcode), package size programs as needed. • Copy of store receipt • Details of the incident
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Frequently Asked Questions 35 Last back page
Money Saving Tips
• Check store ads for sales. • Buy in bulk —larger packages often cost less • Create a weekly meal plan based on food than several small packages. Just be sure that prices. you have storage space and will be able to use the item before it goes bad. • Make a shopping list and stick to it. Avoid shopping while you are hungry. • Reach to the back of the shelf for the freshest items — especially for meat, dairy, fruits & • Use your store discount/loyalty card and vegetables. coupons. • Shop wisely…not all stores offer the same • Compare brands— store brands often offer selection. similar products for less money. • Look at the top and bottom shelves — stores often stock the higher priced items at eye level on the middle shelves. • Buy fresh produce when it is in season — it will cost less and taste better than out of season produce. • Take the time to prepare your own meals— convenience foods, pre-cut fruits and vegetables, instant rice/oatmeal tend to cost more than if you prepare them yourself. 36 Inside back cover with pocket In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or ad- ministering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on QUESTIONS? race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by Just call 877-835-5942 or USDA. Contact your local WIC clinic at: Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To requesa copy of the complaint Please note that every store may not carry all of the form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA Virginia WIC approved foods. This list is subject to by: change as new food options become available. (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or WICVA.com (3) email: [email protected]. WIC 05 | 1-2018 This institution is an equal opportunity provider.