Colorado WIC Program Policies and Procedures Section 2: Nutrition Services Revised: 03/01/2026 Page 1 of 3

Food Packages: Women (Pregnant, Breastfeeding and Postpartum)

Policy: WIC staff select food packages for pregnant women according to the woman’s nutritional needs. Food packages for breastfeeding and postpartum women are determined by her infant’s age, the amount of formula (if any) issued to her infant(s), and the mother’s nutritional needs.

Regulation: 7 CFR 246.10

Procedure/Additional Guidance: Food Package Types/Categories for Women ● Pregnant: For women with singleton pregnancies.

● Partially Breastfeeding: For women whose breastfed infant receives infant formula in amounts “in range,” and women pregnant with multiples (Compass lists women pregnant with multiples as a separate food package, but they receive the same foods in the same amounts as a partially breastfeeding woman).

● Postpartum Woman (not breastfeeding) / Novel Breastfeeding: For women who are within 6 months postpartum and not breastfeeding, and women who are within 6 months postpartum and breastfeeding an infant who receives infant formula in amounts “out of range” for partially breastfeeding. ✔ When a woman reports that she is partially breastfeeding a > 6-month old infant who receives “out of range” infant formula, the WIC user: 1) issues a final minimum of 15 days food benefits and; 2) chooses “No Food Benefits” in FB Issuance, either on family panel or food package panel. Although she no longer receives a food package, she continues to be counted as an active WIC participant with the category of “breastfeeding” and continues to receive breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals.

● Exclusively Breastfeeding: For breastfeeding women up to 1 year postpartum whose infants do not receive infant formula from WIC (these breastfeeding women are assumed to be exclusively breastfeeding their infants). This food package is also designed for issuance to women participants partially breastfeeding multiple infants from the same pregnancy “in range”, and pregnant women who are also partially (mostly) breastfeeding an infant “in range.”

● Exclusively Breastfeeding Multiples: For women who are exclusively breastfeeding multiple infants who receive no formula from WIC. The monthly maximum for these women is 1.5 times the maximum quantity of the Exclusively Breastfeeding Women food package above. In order to provide maximum amounts allowed, foods are divided into “even and odd month” food packages which are issued over a two-month period of time. This food package is also for pregnant women also partially (in range) or fully breastfeeding multiple infants.

● Women receiving WIC eligible nutritionals are also eligible to receive a food package that can include up to the maximum allowable amount of juice, milk (or milk alternatives), breakfast cereal, cheese, eggs, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, canned fish, and peanut butter. (The WIC High Risk Counselor can determine appropriate supplemental foods.) When substantiated with proper and complete medical documentation/PAF and approval from the WIC High Risk Counselor, women can receive WIC eligible nutritionals.

● The WIC High Risk Counselor may also approve issuance of whole or 2% milk for women receiving WIC eligible nutritionals.

Colorado WIC Program Policies and Procedures Section 2: Nutrition Services Revised: 03/01/2026 Page 2 of 3 Summary of Women Food Packages Food Pregnant Partially BFing Postpartum/Novel BFing Exclusive BFing Exclusive BFing Multiples Milk (gallons) 3.25 3.25 3.25 3.25 5.25 Cheese (pounds) a 1 1 1 1 1 Eggs (dozen) 1 1 1 2 3 Juice (ounces) 64 64 64 64 96 Cereal (ounces) 36 36 36 36 54 Whole grains (lbs) 3 3 3 3 4.5 Dry Beans and/or Peanut Butter 1 pound and 18 oz 1 pound and 18 oz. 1 pound or 18 oz 1 pound and 18 oz 1 lb., 8 oz and 27 oz Canned fish (ounces) 10 15 10 20 30 oz CVB $47 $52 $47 $52 $78

a Staff must ensure clients are aware they may opt for either a cheese model food package OR a standard milk model food package including three additional quarts of milk. The model food package including cheese can only be assigned after nutrition assessment is completed and the client has expressly chosen a cheese model food package.

Food Package Allowances/Substitutions WIC staff may prescribe allowable alternatives and tailor the package according to additional participant needs and preferences. All substitutions are considered for client preference unless stated otherwise. If the reason for substitution was not simply client preference, the reason why a substitution was issued must be expressly documented. WIC staff may determine the issuance of the following foods: ● Plant-based milk alternative or tofu as a substitution for milk. ✔ Following a nutrition assessment, plant-based milk alternatives (1 quart per 1 quart) or tofu (1 lb per 1 quart) may be substituted for milk in situations that include, but are not limited to milk allergy, lactose intolerance, vegan diet, religious preference (i.e. kosher), or participant preference. ● Beans/Peanut butter as a substitution for eggs. ✔ Per participant preference, staff may substitute dry legumes (1 pound), canned legumes (64 ounces), and/or peanut butter (18 ounces) for each 1 dozen eggs when individually tailoring food packages. ● $3 CVB substitution for juice. ✔ Per participant preference, staff may substitute a $3CVB can be provided in place of 64 oz. of juice when individually tailoring food packages. ● Alternative nut/seed butters. ✔ Following a nutrition assessment, staff may substitute alternative nut/seed butters for peanut butter at a rate of 1:1 in situations that include, but are not limited to, allergy, religious or cultural reasons, or participant preference. Alternative nut/seed butters may also be issued in place of peanut butter when peanut butter is issued as a substitute for eggs. ● When substantiated with proper and complete medical documentation and approval from the WIC High Risk Counselor, the following can be issued to women. ✔ WIC-eligible nutritional. ✔ Infant cereals as a substitute for breakfast cereal. ✔ Infant fruits and vegetables as a substitute for the CVB.

Colorado WIC Program Policies and Procedures Section 2: Nutrition Services Revised: 03/01/2026 Page 3 of 3 The WIC High Risk Counselor may approve the issuance of the following foods: ● Supplemental foods for women receiving nutritionals. ● Whole or 2% milk for women receiving nutritionals.