DC WIC POLICY & PROCEDURE MANUAL

Policy 9.009 1 | P a g e Title: Food Packages for Homeless Participants Category: Food Delivery CFR Reference 7 CFR 246.10(b)(1)(ii) Policy Number 9.009 Effective Date: 1/2022 Revised Date: 11/17/2025

POLICY STATEMENT: The State Agency will ensure that authorized supplemental foods* and food tailoring options are available to address any food storage and preparation constraints of homeless participants in DC WIC. The Local Agency will ensure that a CPA/CPPA performs a comprehensive nutrition assessment in accordance with 2.003 Nutrition and Breastfeeding Assessment that identifies the cultural, medical, and dietary needs of the participant. For a participant identified as homeless and residing in a homeless facility, the CPA/CPPA must provide food benefit education that supplemental foods issued are for their personal use only and not to be used in a communal setting or belonging to the homeless facility or institution, in accordance with 7 CFR 246.10(b)(2)(ii)(D). *See DC WIC policy 9.004 Federal Food Packages for definition of supplemental foods. PROCEDURE The following food tailoring options can be used to assist the CPA/CPPA in providing food benefit education to homeless participants: Food Item Food tailoring considerations Infant formula - Powdered formulas are shelf-stable and can be prepared as needed. - Powdered formula is preferred for mothers that are partially nursing. - The CPA can determine the need for RTU/RTF formulas if a lack of access to clean water and/or refrigeration is a concern (see DC WIC policy 9.005 for more information). Milk - For storage concerns, the CPA/CPPA can issue milk in smaller package sizes like quarts and half gallons. - If there is a lack of access to refrigeration, DC WIC authorizes UHT milk, powdered milk, and evaporated milk as shelf-stable options. Cheese and yogurt - DC WIC has expanded its allowable package sizes to allow for purchasing of smaller quantities at once. Cheese can be purchased in 8 oz packaging, yogurt can be purchased in 16 oz packaging. Juice - 64 ounce juices authorized in DC WIC are shelf-stable. Eggs - Eggs can be substituted for canned beans or peanut butter or nut or seed butters. Breakfast cereals - DC WIC has expanded its allowable package sizes to allow for purchasing of smaller quantities at once. Breakfast cereals can be purchased in minimum package sizes of 9 ounces up to 36 ounces. Fruits and Vegetables - DC WIC authorizes several forms of fruits and vegetables that allow for flexibility in purchasing including fresh, frozen, canned, and dried.

DC WIC POLICY & PROCEDURE MANUAL

Policy 9.009 2 | P a g e Whole wheat bread and whole grains - DC WIC has expanded its allowable whole wheat bread options to include English muffins, bagels, and naan, and has additionally authorized more whole grain options that are shelf-stable (e.g. quinoa, oats, brown rice, etc) Fish - Allowable package sizes range from 2 ounces to 15 ounces, allowing for flexibility in purchasing. Dry beans, canned beans, peanut butter or nut or seed butters - The participant may choose from any of the three options. Each form is shelf stable. Infant foods (cereal, fruit and vegetable, meats) - All approved infant foods are in shelf-stable forms (e.g. jars, pouches, containers, etc).

REFERENCES DC WIC policies 2.003 Nutrition and Breastfeeding Assessment, 9.004 Federal Food Packages, 9.005 Infant Food Packages ATTACHMENTS & FORMS