New WIC Food Items Will Include Tofu And Salmon

Alamance County, NC-- As excitement builds among children and parents for the upcoming new school year, the Alamance County Health Department's WIC Program is also preparing for exciting changes that will take place in the coming weeks. WIC, the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children, is changing for the better! Starting in October, the foods available to WIC participants will reflect the diversity of individual and family dietary needs.

The new food package is designed to increase the variety of healthy foods in the diets of participants.

Additions to the WIC food package include:

• Fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains, such as whole-grain bread and cereal, brown rice, whole-wheat and soft-corn tortillas
• Tofu as a substitute for milk
• Canned beans as a substitute for dry beans
• Salmon as a choice for women who breastfeed
• Infant fruits and vegetables for all babies six months and older
• Infant meats for fully breastfed babies six months and older
• In addition, less formula will be provided for babies six months to one year of age and juices for babies will no longer be available.

From a health and nutrition standpoint, the changes will lead to a reduction of fat and an increase in fiber, which will promote a heart healthy diet. Specifically, the changes ultimately will result in:

• Limited sugary beverage consumption. Sugary beverages will be replaced with fruits and vegetables, which provide fiber.
• A reduction in infant formula overfeeding
• Less juice for women and children
• Less milk and cheese for women and children
• Fewer eggs for women and children
• The elimination of whole milk for women and children over the age of two

The Alamance County Health Department's WIC Program will provide a sneak peek of the upcoming changes. Program participants, as well as other interested individuals may visit our WIC Office throughout the month of September and view the display of foods that will become available through our program in October. In addition, several nutritionist-guided supermarket tours will be offered throughout September, to assist clients in locating these new foods during their next grocery shopping trip.

If you have additional questions the WIC Program or the new food package changes, please contact the Alamance County Health Department WIC Office at (336) 570-6474.

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