WIC Food List 2020 Nutrition for a Healthy Future

VIRGINIA WIC Food List 2020 Nutrition for a Healthy Future

The foods that you get from Women, Infants and Children (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 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 vegetables 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% NATURAL 100%  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 C A N N E D • “Naturally Sweet” tomatoes; tomato paste F R U IT  Choose any brand • “Unsweetened”  Choose any brand DON’T BUY: • ketchup, stewed tomatoes, tomato DON’T BUY: sauces (including pizza and spaghetti), • added sugars, artificial sweeteners, syrups, • fruit cocktail • added sugars, artificial sweeteners, salsa fats, oils, flavorings, • cranberry sauce syrups, fats, oils, flavorings, seasonings • canned vegetables with added meats seasonings (including cinnamon) • cocktail cherries • herbs and spices • baked beans or pork and beans • herbs and spices • pie filling • cream, cheese, butter sauces • dry or canned beans included in the • canned fruits with added salt • single serve containers • pickled vegetables (including legume category sauerkraut), pickles, relish, olives • combinations with rice or pasta • soups • single serve containers 5 Fruits and Vegetables Whole Grains

WHOLE WHEAT BREADS Best Choice Bimbo Food Lion Giant  BUY  16 oz. (1 pound) package size only  Choose from the following WIC eligible brands and varieties

100% Whole 100% Whole 100% Whole Stone Ground 100% Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Giant Healthy Life Kroger Nature’s Own Our Family Pepperidge Farm

100% Whole 100% Whole 100% Whole Wheat 100% Whole Whole Wheat W/ 100% Whole 100% Whole Very Thin 100% Wheat Round Wheat Bread Bread Wheat Bread Honey Bread Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Whole Wheat Bread Top Bread 6 Roman Meal Sara Lee Shoppers Value Signature Select Weis Wonder

Sungrain 100% Whole Wheat 100% Whole 100% Whole 100% Whole 100% Whole 100% Whole Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Wheat Bread Wheat Bread

DON’T BUY: • organic varieties • varieties with artificial sweeteners or added ingredients (including herbs, peppers, cheese, cinnamon, raisins) • English muffins/rolls/buns

7 Whole Grains Whole Grains Barilla Essential Everyday Food Club WHOLE WHEAT PASTA Whole Grain Whole Wheat Whole Wheat  BUY  16 oz. (1 pound) package size only • Angel Hair • Rotini • Elbow Macaroni • Penne Rigate  Choose from the following WIC eligible • Elbows • Spaghetti • Penne Rigate • Spaghetti brands and varieties • Linguine • Thin Spaghetti • Rotini • Penne • Spaghetti • Thin Spaghetti Great Value Harris Teeter H.T. Traders Kroger Our Family Whole Wheat Whole Grain Whole Wheat Whole Grain Whole Wheat

• Elbows • Rotini • Penne Rigate • Capellini • Penne Rigate • Rotini • Linguine • Spaghetti • Rotini • Fusilli • Rotini • Spaghetti • Penne • Thin Spaghetti • Spaghetti • Penne Rigate • Spaghetti • Thin Spaghetti • Rigatoni • Thin Spaghetti • Spaghetti 8 WHOLE WHEAT PASTA BROWN RICE Publix Racconto Ronzoni Signature Select Weis Quality  BUY Whole Wheat Whole Grain Whole Wheat Whole Wheat  16 oz. (1 pound) package size only  Bag or box containers  Regular, instant, and quick varieties • Penne • Angel Hair  Choose any brand • Capellini • Rigatoni • Penne Rigate • Elbow • Rotini • Spaghetti • Penne Rigate • Elbows • Rotini • Linguine Macaroni • Spaghetti • Rotini • Farfalle • Spaghetti • Rotini • Linguine • Thin DON’T BUY: • Spaghetti • Linguine • Spaghetti • Penne Spaghetti • organic varieties • Penne • Thin Spaghetti Rigate • varieties with added sugars/artificial Rigate sweeteners/salt/saturated 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

Whole Grains Whole Grains  BUY  16 oz. (1 pound) package size only  Choose from the following WIC eligible brands TORTILLAS Best Choice Essential Everyday Food Club Food Lion Giant

Corn Whole Wheat Whole Wheat White Corn Whole Wheat Whole Wheat Whole Wheat White Corn Whole Wheat Fajita Hy-Top Kroger La Banderita Mission

Yellow Corn Yellow Corn Whole Wheat Corn Whole Wheat Whole Wheat Yellow Corn Whole Wheat Whole Wheat Whole Wheat Fajita Fajita Restaurant Style 10 TORTILLAS Ortega Our Family Signature Select Tio Santi Wegmans Weis

Whole Wheat Yellow Corn White Corn Whole Wheat Whole Wheat Whole Wheat Whole Wheat Whole Wheat

DON’T BUY: • 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 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 flavored 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 Cow’s Milk WAYS TO BUY A GALLON  BUY (As prescribed or listed on your WIC benefit balance)  Choose the best value or WIC eligible brand only 0.25 = 1 Quart 0.50 = Half-Gallon 1.0 = 1 Gallon  Gallon, Half-Gallon, and Quart size containers only Specialty Milk = =  BUY (As prescribed or listed on your WIC benefit balance)  Lactose-Free Milk  Ultra High Temperature (UHT) Milk 4 QUARTS 2 HALF-GALLONS ONE GALLON Choose any brand, in the following sizes Choose any brand only: 96 oz., Half-Gallon, Quart  Soy Milk - Choose from the following brands and varieties DON’T BUY: • organic varieties • varieties not listed • ½% milk including buttermilk, • sweetened or goat, almond, coconut, flavored varieties cashew, rice, kefir 8th Continent Soy: Pacific 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 flavor • added calcium • raw/unpasteurized milk original or vanilla vanilla flavor 64 oz., refrigerated, original flavor • dry, evaporated, flavor 64 oz. 2 pack/128 oz., refrigerated, original flavor 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 Avenue A Always Save

18 18 12 12 12 oz. oz. oz. oz. oz. Frosted Corn Flakes Toasted Oats Cereal Corn Flakes Shredded Wheat Best Choice g Totals 36 oz. Totals 36 oz. g g

24 21 oz. Bite Sized Frosted 15 oz. Crisp Rice Crispy Corn 12 Shredded Wheat Corn Crisps oz. and Rice oz. Best Choice

Totals 36 oz. Totals 36 oz. Buy any combination of hot or cold WIC approved cereals, totaling 36 ounces Enriched Bran Happy O’s Honey Oat Maple & Brown Sugar Flakes Clusters Frosted Shredded Wheat 16 Best Choice Best Yet

Multi Grain Happy Os Strawberry Wheat Crisps Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Crispy Rice Bite Size Frosted Shredded Wheat Shredded Wheat Best Yet Essential Everyday

Honey and Oats Strawberry Bite Size Frosted Bite Size Strawberry Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Crispy Hexagons Flakes Shredded Wheat Shredded Wheat Frosted Shredded Wheat Essential Everyday g g

Honey Crunchy Corn Crunchy Rice Crunchy Wheat Toasted Oats Nutty Nuggets Crispy Rice Oats & Flakes Squares Squares Squares 17

Breakfast Cereals = A minimum of 51% g = Gluten Free Cold Cereals whole grain cereal Food Club

Bite Size Frosted Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Corn Squares Crisp Rice Honey and Oats with Shredded Wheat Honey and Oat Clusters Food Club Food Lion g g

Strawberry Frosted Oatmeal Squares Rice Squares Toasted Oats Twin Grain Crisp Bite Sized Frosted Shredded Wheat Wheat Squares Shredded Wheat Food Lion g

Corn Flakes Crispy Hexagons Crispy Rice Enriched Wheat Multigrain Oats & More Strawberry Bran Flakes Tasteeos with Honey Shredded Wheat 18 Food Lion General Mills g g g g

Tasteeos Toasted Rice Berry Berry Blueberry Cheerios Cinnamon Corn Chex Kix Chex 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

Wheat Chex Wheaties Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Corn Squares Crispers Crispy Rice 19 Breakfast Cereals = A minimum of 51% g = Gluten Free Cold Cereals whole grain cereal Giant Great Value g

Frosted Honey Crunchin Oats Nutty Nuggets Oats and O’s Oats and O’s Rice Squares Bran Flakes Shredded Wheat Multigrain Great Value

Corn Flakes Corn Squares Crunchy Crunchy Frosted Oat Crunch O’s Oat Cereal Honey Oats Nuggets Shredded Wheat Great Value Harris Teeter g

Multi Grain O’s Rice Crispers Rice Squares Shredded Wheat Wheat Squares Bran Flakes Cereal Corn Flakes 20 Harris Teeter g

Crisp 6 Crispy Rice Bite-Sized Frosted Frosted Shredded Nutty Bites Oatmeal Squares Rice Squares Shredded Wheat Wheat Strawberry Brown Sugar

Harris Teeter Hy•Top IGA g

Corn Squares Toasted Oats Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Toasted Oats Bite Size Frosted Corn Flakes Shredded Wheat IGA Kellogg’s g

Crispy Corn & Rice Crispy Rice Enriched Bran Rice Squares Tasteeos All-Bran Corn Flakes Flakes 21 Breakfast Cereals Cold Cereals = A minimum of 51% g = Gluten Free whole grain cereal Kellogg’s

Frosted Mini Wheats Crispix Frosted Mini Frosted Mini Wheats Rice Krispies Special K Original Special K Protein Little Bites Wheats Original Raspberry Kiggins Kroger

Corn Flakes Crispy Rice Bite Size Frosted Corn Flakes Crispy Rice Nutty Nuggets Oat Squares Shredded Wheat Kroger Laura Lynn g g g g

Rice Bitz Bite Size Corn Bite Size Rice Corn Flakes Crisp Rice Hexa Crisp 22 Laura Lynn Lowes Foods

Frosted Shredded Honey & Oats Toasted Oats Wheat Bran Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Crispy Rice Wheat Flakes

Lowes Foods Malt O Meal g

Oats & More with Frosted Mini Strawberry Mini Tasteeos Twin Grain Crisp Honey Crispy Rice Spooners Spooners Our Family

Bran Flakes Corn Biscuits Corn Flakes Crispy Hexagons Crispy Rice Frosted Shredded Oats & More with Wheat Honey 23

Breakfast Cereals = A minimum of 51% g = Gluten Free Cold Cereals whole grain cereal Our Family Post g

Honey Bunches of Honey Bunches of Honey Bunches of Rice Biscuits Toasted Oats Grape Nuts Flakes Grape Nuts Original Oats Honey Roasted Oats Cinnamon Oats Vanilla Post Publix

Honey Bunches of Oats Honey Crunch Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Crispy Corn and Rice Crispy Rice Frosted Wheat Honey and Oats Whole Grain Publix Ralston Foods g

Frosted Shredded Toasted Oats Shredded Wheat Corn Biscuits Crispy Hexagons Crisp Rice Tasteeos Wheat Bite Size 24 Ralston Foods Shoppers Value Signature Kitchens/Select

Wheat Bran Corn Flakes Bite-Size Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Corn Pockets Crispy Rice Nutty Nuggets Flakes Shredded Wheat Signature Kitchens/Select That’s Smart g

Oats & More Rice Pockets Toasted Oats Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Crisp Rice Toasted Oats with Honey Valu Time Wegmans

Bran Flakes Crisp Rice Toasted Oats Bran Flakes Corn Flakes Corn Flakes 25

Breakfast Cereals = A minimum of 51% g = Gluten Free Cold Cereals whole grain cereal Wegmans g

Rice Squares Oats and Honey Toasted Grains Toasted Oats Wheat Crunch Multi Grain Weis g g g

Bite Size Strawberry Bite Size Toasted Bite Size Shredded Bite Size Toasted Crispy Corn and Frosted Shredded Wheat Corn Corn Flakes Crispy Rice Wheat Rice Rice Weis

Frosted Shredded Honey Oats and Multigrain Toasted Oats Wheat Bran Flakes Wheat Flakes 26 Wheat Flakes Toasted Oats  BUY: = A minimum of 51% g = Gluten Free Hot Cereals  11.8 oz. or larger whole grain cereal

Best Choice Best Yet Cream of Rice Cream of Wheat g g

Instant Oatmeal Regular Instant Hot Cereal Instant Hot Instant Original Instant Whole Original 1 Minute Original Oatmeal Cereal Grain

Cream of Wheat Essential Everyday

Original Whole Grain Creamy Wheat Instant Grits Original Instant Oatmeal 2 ½ Minute 2 ½ Minute Original

27 Breakfast Cereals = A minimum of 51% g = Gluten Free Hot Cereals whole grain cereal

 BUY:  11.8 oz. or larger

Food Club Food Lion Giant Great Value

Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Instant Cream Farina Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Regular Regular Original Original Regular

Harris Teeter HyTop Kroger Laura Lynn Lowes Foods

Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Original Regular Original Original Original 28 Malt O Meal

Chocolate Hot Co Co Wheats Farina Original Hot Wheat Wheat Cereal Cereal

Our Family Ralston Foods Signature Select Weis

Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal Original Regular Regular Original

Breakfast Cereals Juice FROZEN JUICE Food Club Shurfine 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 artificial juice cocktail apple sweeteners 30 LIQUID JUICE (For Children Only)  BUY Food Club Kroger Signature  Unsweetened, apple, grape, white grape apple, grape, white grape Kitchens 100% single variety Food Lion Laura Lynn apple, grape fruit juice apple, grape, white grape apple, grape, white grape Tipton Grove  64 oz. size containers Giant apple, grape only, shelf stable or apple, grape, white grape Lowes apple, grape, white grape refrigerated Great Value Tree Top  Choose from the following apple, grape, white grape Mott’s apple WIC eligible brands and apple varieties Harris Teeter Valu Time apple, grape, white grape Old Orchard apple, grape, white grape Always Save apple, grape, white grape apple Harvest Classic Our Family Wegmans Apple and Eve apple apple, grape, white grape apple, grape apple white grape Hy-Top Piggly Wiggly Weis Best Choice apple, grape, white grape apple, grape, white grape apple, grape, white grape apple, grape, white grape Welch’s IGA Publix grape, white grape Best Yet apple, grape, white grape apple, grape, white grape apple, grape, white grape White House Essential Juicy Juice Shurfine apple Everyday apple, grape apple, grape, white grape apple, grape, white grape 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 first year, and longer if desired by mother and baby.

Breastfeeding Breastfeeding Breastfeeding Benefits Babies Benefits Moms Benefits 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 disease including diabetes, • Always ready and at the interactive 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 fight diseases and prevent allergies Always clean and safe Exclusively breastfeeding mothers and their babies are • eligible to receive extra food benefits from WIC. • Easy to digest – Contact your local WIC office 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, are used for the month? yogurt, juice, peanut butter, and breakfast cereals. Eligible You will use the same eWIC card every month to redeem your foods 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 one time? dashboard of the car; this could cause your card to stop You do not have to buy all your foods at one time. Buy what working. you need. As food items are purchased with your eWIC card, When will I be able to use my WIC benefits? these items will be deducted from the available balance. Your WIC benefits will be in loaded onto your eWIC card at 12:00 midnight on the First Date to Spend (FDTS) and will Can I use my eWIC card at any checkout lane? expire at 12:00 midnight on the Last Day to Spend (LDTS). Some stores require eWIC transactions to be made in specific checkout lanes. Check with customer service if you are unsure What happens if all of my WIC foods are not purchased which lanes accept eWIC cards as payment. this month, will these benefits roll over to the next month? 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: • you do not have enough benefits left Can I change the foods listed on my shopping list? • it is not on your food prescription If you have concerns about your WIC food prescription, it is not a Virginia WIC eligible food contact your local WIC office. Food substitutions may not be • made at the store. WIC foods can only be exchanged for the • it is not in the Virginia WIC APL (Approved Product List) exact same item. WIC foods cannot be returned to the store If this happens, keep your receipt, take a picture of the food for cash, credit or exchanged for different items. and barcode, and contact your local WIC office. What if I run out of food and I have already used all of What should I do if I have problems at the grocery my WIC benefits? store? The WIC program is only meant to “supplement” your diet. If you have a problem at the grocery store, ask to talk with The foods you receive at WIC are not intended to meet all of the store manager. If the issue cannot be resolved at the your nutritional needs. You will need to purchase additional store, contact your local WIC office to discuss your concerns. foods on your own, including infant formula. You may be asked to provide the following: • Store name, address, and phone number Your local WIC office can offer referrals to food assistance • Date and time of the incident programs as needed. • Name(s) of store personnel involved (store manager, cashier, etc.) • Food item name, UPC (barcode), package size • Copy of store receipt • Details of the incident

Frequently Asked Questions 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 and • 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- QUESTIONS? ministering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for Just call 877-835-5942 or prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by 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 request 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 VirginiaWIC.com (3) email: [email protected]. FDLST-18E WIC 20 | 1-2020 This institution is an equal opportunity provider.