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INTRODUCTION TO WIC WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The mission of the WIC Program is to improve the health and nutritional status of women, infants, and children during critical times of growth and development. In Alabama, WIC services are provided in the local county health departments and administrated by the Alabama Department of Public Health and some private local agencies.

Local clinics certify individuals for participation in the WIC Program. Women applying for WIC must be either pregnant, had a baby in the past six months, or breastfeeding. Infants and children up to five years of age are also eligible to apply. Applicants must have proof of residency in Alabama, proof of identity, and proof of income. In addition to meeting income requirements, the participant must also have a nutritional risk, as determined by a health professional. Once certified, participants receive nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, health care and social service referrals, and supplemental foods.

Currently, over 100,000 of Alabama’s women, infants, and children participate in the WIC Program resulting in over $100,000,000 being spent at authorized WIC vendors across the state. Everyone that works for an authorized WIC vendor plays an important role in ensuring Alabama’s participants receive only WIC approved foods. Foods provided by the WIC Program are good sources of nutrients. These foods include milk, yogurt, eggs, cheese, fruit juice, fortified cereal, peanut butter, dried or canned beans/peas, whole grain bread, brown rice, whole wheat or whole grain pasta, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Infants receive infant cereal and infant foods at the appropriate age. For infants who are not breastfed, iron fortified infant formula is provided. Participants are issued benefits via an electronic process where the food benefits are automatically added onto a card, like a debit card. This card is known as the eWIC card. Participants receive a shopping list at the clinic that specifies the types and quantities of foods allowed for purchase. The benefits are good for a specific 30-day period and can only be redeemed at vendors authorized by the State WIC Office.