Recent News

Every month, more than 130,000 Missourians participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC. The program provides nutrition information, breastfeeding support and nutritious foods to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to five years of age.

Missouri WIC offers healthy food choices for families. Foods that can be purchased with WIC checks target specific essential nutrients often missing from the diets of participants, such as vitamins A, C and D, iron, calcium and protein. In addition, the food package has recently been revised to offer more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, as well as the additional choices of tofu and yogurt.

"Providing nutritious food and health information to pregnant women, as well as mothers of infants and young children, helps women make healthier choices for themselves and their families," says Susan White, Bureau Chief for the Missouri WIC program.

WIC provides quality nutrition education; breastfeeding promotion and support; nutritious foods; and referrals to health services.

To qualify for the WIC program, participants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a pregnant, breastfeeding or new mother; be an infant up to age one; or be a child up to age 5; and
• Be a resident of Missouri; and
• Have a health or nutrition need; and
• Meet income eligibility requirements. More information about income guidelines can be obtained at www.health.mo.gov/wic.

Missourians interested in more information about WIC benefits can call TEL-LINK at 1-800-835-5465 or find their local WIC agency's location online at www.health.mo.gov/wic.

WIC is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.