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January 2024

New Arrival Alert: Oak Farms Milk Now In Stores

2024-01-16T12:59:51+00:00January 16th, 2024|Categories: Grocery Services North, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , |

Grocery Services North is Now Carrying Oak Farms Milk

Attention WIC Moms: Exciting News – Oak Farms Milk is Now Available at Grocery Services North stores for you and your little ones! 

Oak Farms Milk has arrived at our store, offering a nutritious and wholesome choice. Whether you’re pouring it over cereal or enjoying a glass by itself, you will love the taste of Oak Farms Milk.

To celebrate, here’s a fun recipe featuring milk for a nutritious breakfast treat:

OVERNIGHT OATS

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup regular yogurt (plain or flavored)

1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional, for added sweetness)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fresh or frozen fruit (e.g., berries, sliced banana, diced apple, or any fruit you like)

Nuts or seeds for topping (e.g., almonds, chia seeds, or walnuts)

A pinch of salt

In a mason jar or airtight container, combine the rolled oats, milk, regular yogurt, honey or maple syrup (if using), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir well to mix all the ingredients together.

Add your choice of fresh or frozen fruit to the mixture. Berries, banana slices, and diced apples are popular options, but you can use any fruit your child enjoys.

Seal the container with a lid and shake it or stir to ensure all the ingredients are well combined.

Refrigerate the container overnight or for at least 4-6 hours. This allows the oats to absorb the liquid and become creamy.

In the morning, give the overnight oats a good stir to redistribute the ingredients. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a little more milk to achieve your desired consistency.

Top your overnight oats with your choice of nuts or seeds for added crunch and nutrition. Chia seeds, sliced almonds, or walnuts work well. Serve the overnight oats cold, right from the fridge.Enjoy a nutritious and delicious breakfast!

Visit a Grocery Services North store today to pick up your WIC-approved milk and other foods.

Nutramigen Select Batches Recalled

2024-01-05T14:07:22+00:00January 4th, 2024|Categories: Baby Formula, Uncategorized|Tags: |

Select batches of Nutramigen LGG powdered formula have been recalled by the manufacturer.  The following Nutramigen powdered formula batches are part of the recall. You can find the code for your formula on the bottom of the can:

  • ZL3FHG (12.6 oz cans)
  • ZL3FMH (12.6 oz cans)
  • ZL3FPE (12.6 oz cans)
  • ZL3FQD (12.6 oz cans)
  • ZL3FRW (19.8 oz cans)
  • ZL3FXJ (12.6 oz cans)

The recalled formula has a UPC code of 300871239418 or 300871239456 and a “use by date” of Jan, 1, 2025. Customers with recalled formula should contact the manufacturer, Mead Johnson, at 866-534-9986.

December 2023

Save Time This December

2023-12-01T19:33:58+00:00December 1st, 2023|Categories: Uncategorized|

Get Your WIC Groceries at Grocery Services North stores

December can be a busy time. 

On top of the already stressful kid routine, parents usually have a lot of added stress during a very busy month.

Instead of searching long aisles for WIC-approved foods, let us help you get all your WIC foods in one easy stop. WIC customers can get in-out-out fast, giving parents extra time to do everything else on their to-do lists. 

Bilingual clerks at Grocery Services North will help you get everything you need in one easy, fast stop. Visit today to let us show you how easy WIC grocery shopping can be. 

November 2023

Broccoli and Cheese Is A Great Thanksgiving Side

2023-11-22T01:09:27+00:00November 21st, 2023|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food|Tags: , , , , , |

This is a Thanksgiving side dish your family will love, and it’s made with WIC-approved foods. This super nutritious vegetable topped with cheese will be loved by everyone gathered around your table. You will want to keep serving it up this winter because it’s a cozy dish for winter weather.

Cheese Sauce For Broccoli

Cooked broccoli, fresh or frozen

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup of milk

1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add flour and keep whisking until you form a paste. Add milk and keep whisking for about 5 minutes or until it is thick. Add cheese and combine until melted. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add cooked broccoli to the mixture or use topping to spread on top of your broccoli, using just as much as desired. * You can also add cooked rice to the broccoli and cheese.

Note: Cheese sauce can also be used for topping for potatoes or other types of vegetables. Enjoy!

Texas WIC Fruit, Vegetable Benefit Increase Extended

2023-11-14T14:13:39+00:00November 13th, 2023|Categories: Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , , |

Texas WIC has announced that the WIC fruit and vegetable dollar amount increase is now extended through September. 

This extension, which is now being offered through Sept. 30, 2024,  has different dollar amounts based on your category. Eligible clients will receive the following:

  • Children get $26 each month 
  • Pregnant, postpartum and some breastfeeding clients get $47 each month 
  • Fully and partially breastfeeding clients get $52 each month  

If your benefits for November and December are for the lower dollar amount, WIC advises: “Use the myWIC app or contact your WIC office to schedule an appointment to update your card. In myWIC, choose the appointment called “Load WIC Card” to schedule a time to update your card with the higher dollar amount, according to its website.

You can also check your WIC benefits by requesting a balance receipt from the cashier at Grocery Services North. 

WIC benefits are expected to return to their normal levels Oct. 2024, which are $12 for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and $10 for children ages 1 to 5. 

Potato Sides Perfect For Thanksgiving, Fall

2023-11-14T14:13:45+00:00November 13th, 2023|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food|Tags: , , , , |

Using WIC-Approved Foods For Your Family Dinner

Fall is the perfect time to dish out comfort food, and Thanksgiving is the perfect place for these foods. Many may argue that the perfect side dish is the potato. It’s also a perfect side for Thanksgiving.

As you prepare for Thanksgiving you might already be thinking about your menu. To help make preparing for the day easier, you might need a few ideas of sides your family will love. Here are a few recipes – featuring WIC-approved foods – we think you will like.

What’s better than hot, comforting cheesy potatoes? This dish is so good it can be a dinner on its own.

SCALLOPED POTATOES

4 cups of thinly sliced russet potatoes (about 4-5 medium-sized potatoes)

2 cups of grated cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)

3 cups of whole milk

1/4 cup of unsalted butter

1/4 cup of all-purpose flour

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 teaspoon of salt (adjust to taste)

1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the flour to create a roux. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the roux is light golden brown. Whisk in the milk to the roux, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to cook and whisk until the mixture thickens, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper. Layer half of the sliced potatoes in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the cheese sauce evenly over the first layer of potatoes. Repeat with another layer. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove the foil and bake until the top is golden brown, and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.

This next recipe is classic, and many like to serve for Thanksgiving. It’s also perfect for fall. 

MASHED POTATOES

4 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

1/2 cup milk 

Salt and pepper to taste

Peel the potatoes and cut them into evenly-sized pieces. Place the potato chunks in a large pot and cover them with cold water. Add a pinch of salt to the water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and let the potatoes simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until they are fork-tender. You should be able to easily pierce the potatoes with a fork without them falling apart. Drain the cooked potatoes in a colander. Return the drained potatoes to the pot and place it back on the stove over low heat. Add the butter and milk to the potatoes. Start by adding half of the milk and butter and then adjust to your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mash the potatoes using a potato masher or a hand mixer. Mash until the potatoes are smooth and creamy. Be careful not to overmix.

THE PERFECT OVEN FRIED POTATOES 

4-5 medium-sized russet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into wedges

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, toss the potato with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings like paprika and garlic powder. Ensure the potatoes are evenly coated. Spread the seasoned potato pieces in a single layer on the hot baking sheet. Make sure they are not overcrowded to allow them to crisp up. Roast the potatoes in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, flipping them once or twice during cooking, until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.

Grocery Services North Announces Thanksgiving Holiday Hours

2023-11-13T14:21:35+00:00November 10th, 2023|Categories: Dallas, East Texas, Grocery Services North, Holiday hours, Meal Planning|Tags: , , , |

Grocery Services North will be closed Thanksgiving Day.

The following two stores will be open from 9 am – 3 pm the day after Thanksgiving:

Lake June – located at 6921 Lake June Rd., Dallas, TX 75217

Spring Valley – located at 8202 Spring Valley Rd. Ste. 300, Dallas, TX 75240

Stores will resume regular hours on Saturday, Nov. 25th.  All Grocery Services North stores will also be open the day before Thanksgiving. Stop by a store to pick up popular WIC-approved foods that can help you make some of your favorite holiday favorites. Looking for Thanksgiving recipes, check these out and this fun appetizer.

Veggie Platter For Thanksgiving

2023-11-07T21:26:24+00:00November 7th, 2023|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes|Tags: , , , , , , |

Turn Your Vegetables Into A Festive Snack Board

Looking for something the entire family will love to make and eat this Thanksgiving? Try making a turkey veggie platter. 

This festive snack is healthy and full of personality. It’s also a great way to get the whole family involved in the kitchen. 

The great thing about this recipe is that you can make it with whatever you have on hand or love snacking on.

The fresh vegetables are arranged as the turkey’s feathers. The turkey’s face is made with the cut end of a bell pepper. Make his face with pieces of carrots and you can make eyes out of anything from olive pieces of tomato, capers or pickle pieces. The dip inside the bowl can be anything you love from homemade hummus to ranch or veggie dip. 

Arrange your cut vegetables on the top half of the bell pepper. Make it as small or large as you wish. This is the perfect activity for the kiddos.

Here is a recipe for homemade yogurt dip you can fill your bell pepper with: 

Ranch Yogurt Dip

1 cup of yogurt

3 tablespoons of mayonnaise

3 teaspoons of ranch seasoning mix

Mix everything into a bowl and combine. Refrigerate overnight. 

If hummus is more what you had in mind, check out our recipe here.

October 2023

Important Update

2023-10-06T19:38:45+00:00October 5th, 2023|Categories: Dallas, East Texas, Grocery Services North, Texas WIC|

The Government is open. Texas WIC is operating as usual, and WIC benefits are being issued like they always have been. There have been no changes to the WIC program. 

 Since talk began of a government shutdown, some WIC clients may be confused about the status of the WIC program. A government shutdown was recently avoided, and WIC is operating as usual. Congress is still working to get the government funded past Nov. 17th. While we can’t speak for WIC, we don’t believe there will be any impact to the program in the near future. 

Grocery Services North stores are helping customers redeem benefits as usual. We are open for business. We hope to see you soon.