The WIC Program strongly encourages and provides support for breastfeeding. For babies who are not fully breastfed, iron-fortified infant formula is available for the first year of life. The state contracts with one formula company to provide formula at a reduced price. Infants may also receive infant cereal and fruit juices during the first year.

Infants with specific medical diagnoses may receive a special formula.

Foods for Women and Children

Pregnant and postpartum women and children (under 5 years of age) participating in WIC receive food benefits for milk, cheese, eggs, cereals, peanut butter or dried beans or peas, and fruit or vegetable juices, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads and tortillas. Women who exclusively breastfeed their babies may also receive extra food, including canned tuna fish.

Special formulas or nutritional supplements are also available to participating women and children who have certain medical conditions.

Sample Food Package for a child for one month:

• 4 gallons of milk
• 1 pound of cheese
• 2 dozen eggs
• 36 ounces of cereal
• 16 ounces of dry beans or 18 ounces of peanut butter
• 4 cans of juice
• 2 pounds whole grain bread or tortillas
• $6.00 fresh fruits and vegetables

See the WIC Food Card (English in PDF format) 

  WIC Food Card (Spanish in PDF format)

  WIC Food Card (Arabic in PDF format)

Nutrition Education

WIC nutrition education assists WIC participants with:

• Infant and toddler feeding
• Breastfeeding
• Prenatal weight gain
• Anemia or iron deficiency
• Child growth and development and other nutrition related health issues.

High Risk Nutrition Counseling

Registered Dietitians at WIC provide individualized high risk nutrition counseling for participants with special medical conditions or nutrition-related health issues.

Health Care Referrals

WIC works closely with the health care community, receiving referrals from private and public health care providers and providing referrals as needed for health and social services.

WIC refers participants for immunizations, substance abuse counseling and treatment, prenatal care, smoking cessation, lead screening, the Healthy Kids/MI Child program, and more.

For more help to quit smoking visit this site.

WIC encourages persons already receiving medical services to remain under their physicians' care. WIC also encourages well-child visits and routine health and dental care.

Breastfeeding Promotion and Support

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first year of life. All WIC agencies have trained personnel ready to assist mothers with the basics of breastfeeding.

Many WIC agencies have breastfeeding peer counselor support programs that provide mother-to-mother counseling. In addition, WIC agencies provide educational resources and breast pumps for returning to work or school.

Project FRESH

The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), also known as Project FRESH, provides eligible WIC participants with coupons to purchase locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets. WIC participants receive these nutrition benefits in addition to their WIC food package and nutrition education.

The Project FRESH program enhances farmers' earnings and supports participation in farmers' markets.

This program partners with the Michigan State University Extension, local farmers and farmer's markets to promote healthy eating and fruit and vegetable consumption.