The State WIC agency and local WIC projects are counting on your support in assisting approximately 210,000 WIC participants a month in the purchase of only those authorized foods. WIC participants receive up to three months’ worth of benefits and are trained by local WIC project staff. If a food is not on the WIC Authorized Foods List, it may not be purchased with the WNC. These foods have been chosen because they meet the nutritional standards mandated by Title 7 Part 246.10 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Currently, Ohio WIC serves an average of 210,000 participants per month through the authorization of approximately 1,250 retail and pharmacy vendors as well as farmers authorized to redeem the fruit and vegetable voucher.īased on a nutrition and health assessment, local WIC project health professionals determine the quantities and types of WIC authorized supplemental foods to be loaded onto the WIC Nutrition Card (WNC). Participants can include working moms, or single dads on behalf of their children, or grandparents. Local health or human service agencies are awarded grants annually to operate the program at the local level. The WIC program is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, and is administered in Ohio by the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Nutrition Services (Women, Infants, and Children - WIC). WIC offers screenings for nutritional problems, nutrition and breastfeeding education, authorized supplemental foods, and referrals which are made to health or social services agencies. Therefore, WIC was authorized to provide supplemental nutritious foods and nutrition education as an adjunct to good health care during critical times of growth and development in order to prevent the occurrence of health problems and to improve existing health. Congress recognized that the physical and mental health of substantial numbers of pregnant women, infants, and young children were at special risk because of poor or inadequate nutrition, health care, or both. The WIC program was authorized by Public Law 92-433 which is a 1972 amendment to the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.

Ohio wic approved foods