WIC

New York State WIC - Together Growing Stronger Families

USDA Nutrition Messages

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has replaced the Food Pyramid with a plate, MyPlate, that shows the types and quantities of food we should be eating to have a healthy diet. In its most simple terms, MyPlate gives the following advice:

Balancing Calories.

  • Enjoy your food, but eat less.
  • Avoid oversized portions.

Foods to Increase

  • Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
  • Make at least half your grains whole grains.
  • Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.

Foods to Reduce

  • Compare sodium on food labels, in foods like soup, bread and frozen meals and choose foods with the lower numbers.
  • Drink water instead of sugary drinks
ChooseMyPlate.gov logo
Fruits Grains
Protein Vegetables
Dairy

Breastfeeding Campaign

Television PSAs

WIC Program - Women, Infants, Children

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) offers nutrition education, breastfeeding support, referrals and a variety of nutritious foods to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum women, infants and children up to age five to promote and support good health.

WIC improves the health of pregnant women, new mothers and their infants and children. The foods provided through WIC are a good source of nutrients often missing from the diets of women and young children. WIC participants have longer, healthier pregnancies and fewer premature births.

Find Out More About WIC

Do I qualify for WIC?

To qualify, you must:

  1. Be a
    • A pregnant woman;
    • An infant or child up to five years old;
    • A mother of a baby up to six months old; OR
    • A breastfeeding mother of a baby up to 12 months old.
  2. Be a resident of New York State, but you do not need to be a U.S. citizen.
  3. Meet the income eligibility guidelines OR receive benefits from Food Stamps, Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
  4. Be assessed by a WIC health care professional.

Fill out the WIC Prescreening Tool to find out if you might be eligible for WIC.

How do I apply for WIC?

Visit our How do I apply for WIC? information page to find out:

WIC's mission is to partner with you and your family, providing:

For more information on WIC:

  • The WIC Program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. Visit their WIC website.
  • Download the WIC Participant Handbook - currently available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and French.

USDA and NYS Nondiscrimination Statements

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 to USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

New York State prohibits discrimination based on creed, marital status and sexual orientation. Persons who believe they have been discriminated against based on the New York State Human Rights Law should call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at 1-800-522-5006, or write to the WIC Program Director, NYSDOH, Riverview Center, 6th Floor West, Room 650, 150 Broadway, Albany NY 12204.