Nutrient

WIC Food Source

What It Does

Iron
(a mineral)

Cereals, dried beans,
peas, lentils, eggs

Necessary for making
healthy red blood cells

Calcium
(a mineral)

Milk, Cheese

Helps build strong teeth
and bones and
helps muscles work

Vitamin A

Carrots, milk (whole or
fortified), cheese, eggs

Neccesary for healthy
eyes, skin, and bones

Vitamin C

Citrus fruit juices, juices
fortified with Vitamin C

Necessary for healthy
gums, tissue, bones, and
teeth. Helps the body use
iron to make healthy red
blood cells & help fight infections.

Vitamin D

Milk, Eggs

Necessary for strong
bones and teeth

Folate

Orange juice, eggs,
cereals, lentils, dried
beans, peas

Assists in making healthy
red blood cells

Protein

Milk, cheese, eggs, dried
beans, peas, lentils,
peanut butter, tuna

Necessary for growth,
upkeep, and repair of
body cells

Zinc
(a mineral)

Dried beans, peas,
lentils, eggs, milk,
cheese, cereals

Needed for cell growth
and repair

Vitamin B6

Eggs, tuna

Needed for normal growth

All approved Missouri WIC cereals are fortified with vitamins or minerals.

WIC foods are a prescription for good health. Remember WIC foods are intended only for the person on WIC.

Since WIC is furnishing these nutritious supplemental foods, you can use your money to buy other nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, meats and fish for you and your children.

Keep your WIC appointments. If you can't keep an appointment, please call your local WIC office right away. The WIC staff works hard to see you at your appointment time, so please try your best to be on time.

Always take your WIC ID Folder to your WIC appointments and to the store. Take your WIC Approved Food List with you to the stroe to help your shop.

Buy the right foods and the right amount with your check.

Use your WIC foods for you and your family. They can't be returned to the store for money or given away or sold to someone else.

Be sure to bring the information that the WIC staff needs when they ask for it.

Tell the WIC staff about any changes in your name, address or phone number.

If you are going to move, notify your WIC staff.

Before you go shopping tear off the checks you will be using.

Be sure to choose only the foods that are on your WIC check.

Separate your WIC foods from other foods you are buying.

Tell the cashier that you are using a WIC check.

Show the casheir your WIC ID Folder.

Sign your checks after the cashier enters the purchase price, don't sign before then.

The cashier will match your signature with one on your ID Folder.

If you get two months of checks, be sure to use the right month first.

You will visit a Health Professional. He or she will give you suggestions and ideas about healthy eating for you and your children. At other times, you may join with other WIC participants for a nutrition or health class.

During some of your visits, the WIC staff will check to see if you or your child is still eligible. This is called a certification. You will need to bring:

• Proof of identification
• Proof of you income
• Proof of your address

If you meet the income and health or nutrition guidelines, you can stay on WIC:

• During pregnancy or breast-feeding until one year after your baby is born. If not breast-feeding, until six months after your baby is born or your pregnancy ended.
• For infants and children:
  Until your child's nutrition problem has improved or until your child reaches his or her fifth birthday, whichever comes first

April 1, 2007 - March 31, 2008

1

18,889

1,575

364

2

25,327

2,111

488

3

31,765

2,648

611

4

38,203

3,184

735

5

44,641

3,721

859

6

51,079

4,257

983

7

57,517

4,794

1,107

8

63,955

5,330

1,230

Each Additional Family Member add:

Plus 6,438

Plus 537

Plus 124

Pregnant women are counted as two family members.
Income guidelines are based on 185% poverty level.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider.