Mira Mesa WIC

History

WIC participants receive checks or vouchers to purchase specific foods each month that are designed to supplement their diets with specific nutrients that benefit WIC's target population. Different foods are provided for different categories of participants. WIC foods include eggs, milk, cheese, peanut butter, dried beans/peas, canned fish, vitamin C-rich fruit or vegetable juice, and iron-fortified adult and infant cereal. WIC recommendations are consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation of babies being breastfed for the first year of life, but in situations where this is not possible, iron-fortified infant formula is available. Starting in October 2009, Soy-based beverages, tofu, fruits and vegetables, baby foods, whole-wheat bread, and other whole-grain options will be added to food packages to better meet the nutritional needs of WIC participants.

Specialties

WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, a 100% federally funded program providing nutritious food (via prescriptive checks), individual counseling and nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to other needed services to at-risk, low- to moderate-income (up to 185% of the federal poverty level) women and children up to the age of five. Since its beginnings in 1974, dozens of scientific studies have shown WIC to be a cost-effective and positive public health intervention, preventing infant mortality, low birth weight and other poor birth outcomes, and improving the nutrition and health of participants.