Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program provides health screening and information, access to healthy foods, support, and referrals to other agencies. Pregnant women, postpartum women, and families with children 0–5 years of age can participate in the WIC program (must be a Massachusetts family to qualify).
WHAT IS WIC?
WIC is a nutrition program that provides nutrition and health education, healthy food and other services free of charge to Massachusetts families who qualify. WIC stands for Women, Infants, and Children.
WHAT DOES WIC OFFER?
WIC’s goal is to help keep pregnant and breastfeeding women and kids under age 5 healthy. To do this, WIC provides:
•Personalized nutrition consultants
•Free, healthy food
•Tips for eating well to improve health
•Referrals to other services that can benefit the whole family
But that's not all! WIC also offers breastfeeding classes, one-on-one breastfeeding support, as well as immunization screening and referrals. WIC also provides parents with opportunities to talk with other parents about nutrition and other health topics that are important to their families.
WHO IS WIC FOR?
WIC is for all kinds of families: married and single parents, working or not working. If you are a father, mother, grandparent, foster parent or another legal guardian of a child under 5, you can apply for WIC for your child.
You can participate in WIC if you:
•Live in Massachusetts
•Have a nutritional need (WIC staff can help you determine this)
•Are a child under 5, or a pregnant or breastfeeding woman, and
•Have a family income equal to or less than WIC guidelines.
If you are pregnant, you should count yourself as two.
You are automatically income eligible for WIC if you are currently receiving TAFDC, Food Stamps or MassHealth. (MassHealth members with Family Assistance or CommonHealth coverage are not automatically income eligible.) Foster kids under age 5 are also automatically eligible for WIC.
CAN MEN PARTICIPATE IN WIC?
WIC welcomes men! WIC recognizes the important role that fathers, grandparents, stepparents, and other guardian play in caring for kids. Fathers and other caregivers of kids under 5 are encouraged to enroll and bring kids to appointments, attend nutrition health workshops, and use WIC in grocery stores.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR WIC?
Check out the Blue Hill Corridor WIC Program’s Locations to set up an appointment. We have 3 Sites that offer evening hours and alternate Saturdays at two sites, so you do not have to miss work. Walk-ins are always welcome!
WHAT FOODS CAN I GET FROM WIC?
WIC makes it easier for you to provide the healthy, delicious foods that you feel good about giving your family. WIC provides free healthy food including:
•Baby Food
•Brown Rice
•Canned Fish