Tag: Wic eligible foods

According to the USDA, WIC provides supplemental foods for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children, but the program has specific regulations on which items can be purchased. This often leads to the common question: can I buy water with WIC? The general answer is no, but it’s crucial to understand the exceptions and alternative options available for ensuring access to safe drinking water.

According to the USDA, the WIC program serves approximately half of all infants born in the United States every year. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

As of early 2025, online WIC grocery shopping has become available in a growing number of states, thanks to federal pilot programs. This expansion offers a convenient solution for many participants, but eligibility at major retailers like Walmart remains dependent on local program implementation.

According to the USDA, a cash-value benefit for fruits and vegetables was added to WIC food packages to improve the quality of participants' diets. Navigating the store shelves can be tricky, so knowing what fruits and vegetables count for WIC is essential for maximizing your benefits and feeding your family healthy, nutritious food.

Historically, WIC benefits could only be used for in-store purchases, but a recent USDA pilot program is changing that. Families in select states participating in this new initiative can now order food from Walmart with WIC benefits for pickup or delivery.

While WIC provides a list of specific, nutritious foods, many grocery store items are ineligible. Understanding which of the following foods are not offered through WIC is essential for program participants to successfully navigate their shopping trips and maximize their benefits. The program focuses on promoting health through specific, highly nutritious food categories, which means many common processed or non-essential items are excluded.