Supplemental Foods:

Foods available through WIC provide nutrients that are important in the diets of women, infants, and children at nutritional risk. These foods include fresh fruits, and vegetables, milk, eggs, cheese, juice, cereal, peanut butter, or dried beans. These foods contain key nutrients needed to promote healthy growth. WIC is a supplemental food program and does not provide all the food a woman or guardian may need for herself and her children.

 "Wic Foods Flyer For Pregnancy"

 "Wic Foods Flyer For Breasfeeding Mom and Baby"

 "Wic Foods Flyer For Children"

Since breast milk is the ideal food for infants, WIC encourages breastfeeding. Additional foods, such as canned tuna fish and salmon, are provided to breastfeeding women who receive no formula from the WIC Program.

The average value of WIC foods provided to participants each month is $50.00. For women who do not breastfeed, WIC provides iron-fortified formula for infants during the first year of life. A wide variety of special formulas are provided to infants and children with special medical needs when prescribed by a physician. Infants also receive infant juice and cereal by six months of age.

WIC foods are provided in the form of vouchers. The types and amounts of food to be purchased each month are printed on a set of food vouchers. The food vouchers are redeemed at a WIC-authorized retail grocery store selected by the participant. In Fulton County, there are many retail grocery stores that are authorized to redeem WIC vouchers.

Nutrition Education

Nutrition information is provided to all WIC participants to ensure that foods will be used properly to improve the dietary and health habits of the entire family. Nutrition education is designed to change lifetime nutrition and health behaviors with realistic goals. Each WIC office has at least one nutritionist on its staff that counsels participants on nutrition related concerns such as obesity and iron deficiency anemia.

Beyond offering nutrition education, the WIC Program is involved in addressing other areas of maternal and child health, such as educating participants about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and tobacco use. Children needing immunizations are referred to their health care provider or the Health Department immunization Clinic. WIC promotes good dental health for children and refers them to the Health Department Dental Clinics.

Referrals:

WIC provides limited referrals to health and social services. Participants not receiving medical services are encouraged to seek and maintain appropriate care.

Enrollment:

WIC is currently serving approximately 15,000 participants and has funding to serve more applicants. To enroll, the applicants need to call or visit one of the Fulton County WIC Clinics listed below. The WIC Program will review the completed application to determine medical/nutritional risk and financial eligibility. If eligible, the applicant will be contacted by the WIC Program and given an appointment to be enrolled. WIC encourages all potentially eligible individuals to apply for WIC Program benefits.