Three Rivers District Health Department offers The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children commonly known as WIC.

Nutrition services offered by WIC are:

·        nutrition and breastfeeding education

·        nutritious foods

·        healthcare access for low and moderate-income women and children with, or at risk of developing, nutrition related health problems.

WIC applicants must meet eligibility requirements. The WIC program is designed to serve:
                        WOMEN
                   -pregnant (during and up to 6 weeks after the birth of an infant or the end of the pregnancy)

-post-partum (up to six months after the birth of the infant or the end of the pregnancy)

-breastfeeding (up to the infant’s first birthday)
      INFANTS
-up to the first birthday
      CHILDREN
-up to the fifth birthday

Applicants must have income at or below 185% of the Federal poverty guidelines or be determined automatically income-eligible based on participation in certain programs.

A nutrition risk assessment is done on all applicants by a health professional to determine medical or dietary based conditions. Examples of qualifying risks are anemia, underweight, poor diet etc. Measurements of height and weight are taken and in some cases blood work is done to check for anemia. To be eligible to receive WIC services, an applicant must qualify in both the income and nutrition assessment areas.

WIC participants receive food instruments for specific foods each month that are designed to supplement their diets. WIC authorized foods include

·        iron-fortified infant formula and cereal

·        infant fruits, vegetables and meats

·        iron-fortified adult cereal

·        whole grain bread or other products

·        fresh fruits and vegetables

·        milk

·        juice

·        eggs

·        tofu

·        cheese

·        peanut butter

·        dried beans or peas