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So far shauna has created 307 blog entries.

March 2022

Government Food Program Serves Up Produce

2022-08-26T02:24:22+00:00March 15th, 2022|Categories: Child Health, Grocery Services North, Mom Health, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , |

Expanded WIC Fruit, Vegetable Benefits Extended Thru September 

Congress has approved another extension of WIC’s expanded fruit and vegetable benefits thru September 2022.

WIC is a government food program that provides nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support and monthly food packages of healthy foods for pregnant women, babies and children up to age 5.

“With the rising cost of food and the ongoing burden of healthcare costs, we must double down on effective measures like the WIC benefit bump that help children build nutritious diets and get a healthy start,” according to a statement from the National WIC Association.

WIC’s extended fruit and vegetable benefits now provide:

  • Children $24/month
  • Pregnant and postpartum participants receive $43/month
  • Breastfeeding participants receive $47/month

Texas WIC offers the following example about how a family may see additional benefits on their WIC EBT cards: 

If you are pregnant and have two children (ages 1-5) receiving WIC, you will get $91 ($43 mom + $24 child + $24 child = $91) each month to buy fruit and vegetables thru September. 

WIC clients will see this new amount on your shopping list under your benefit amount. 

WIC shoppers can use the expanded fruit and vegetable benefit to buy produce fresh, frozen, cans, glass jars, and plastic containers. For more information about WIC food benefits, visit TexasWIC.org.

GOVERNMENT FOOD PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPORT

Since April 2021, more than 4.75 million women and children participating in WIC have received enhanced fruit and vegetable benefits in accordance with science-based recommendations. The WIC benefit bump has resulted in more than triple the amount of fruit and vegetable purchases, a greater variety of produce redeemed by WIC families, and increased fruit and vegetable consumption for young children, according to a statement released by the National WIC Association.

WIC GROCERY SHOPPING

Visit Grocery Services North in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview to redeem your WIC benefits in one easy stop. Grocery Services North is a PWIC grocery store chain that specializes in catering to WIC clients. Shoppers can check their EBT balance BEFORE shopping and bilingual clerks assist shoppers throughout the shopping experience. Plus, everything in the store is WIC approved. SNAP is also accepted. Find a location here.

 

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Learn About Texas WIC Food List

2022-08-26T02:27:59+00:00March 11th, 2022|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Child Health, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Texas WIC|Tags: , , , , , |

If you are new or interested in joining Texas WIC, you are likely getting familiar with the Texas WIC food list. There are more WIC foods approved now than ever before. 

The WIC program offers free nutritional assistance for mothers to help them raise healthy children until they turn 5 years old. The program offers nutritional support, free classes, breastfeeding support, and free monthly food packages for expecting mothers and their children while they are on the program. 

Those Texas WIC free food packages are tailored to the mother’s and children’s nutritional needs as they advance through the program, depending on the child’s age. The food packages may include everything from tuna, milk, and cereal, fruits and vegetables for an expecting mother to the formula for babies and whole wheat pasta, bread, peanut butter, beans, and more for older children.

Texas WIC Food List

Each month you will get more familiar with the Texas WIC food list as you get your WIC groceries. You can also learn more about the food list and packages at TexasWIC.org.

The WIC food list is broken into the following categories: Pregnant women, moms and fully breastfeeding babies, moms and partially breastfeeding babies, moms and formula feeding babies, children 1 to 2 years and children 2 to 5 years. 

WIC client’s monthly food package benefits, all the foods from their WIC food list, are loaded onto a WIC EBT card for the client to redeem when shopping for their WIC groceries.

Grocery stores like Grocery Services North – which has locations in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview – help mothers easily shop for WIC groceries. Grocery Services North is a primarily WIC grocery store chain that specializes in serving WIC clients. At the store, customers can see the benefits on their WIC EBT card before they shop. Because everything in the store is WIC approved clients don’t have to worry about finding all the correct WIC foods from their list.  Bilingual clerks help customers shop for their WIC foods from their list. The WIC clerks are familiar with the WIC program and make WIC shopping easier. 

  • Learn more about the Texas food list by visiting Texas WIC. 
  • To find a Grocery Services North location, visit us online at: groceryservicesnorth.com/locations. 
  • If you are not part of the Texas WIC program, apply online at TexasWIC.org/apply.
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Free Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Helps Moms, Children

2022-03-18T23:03:41+00:00March 7th, 2022|Categories: Child Health, Mom Health, Texas WIC, WIC Nutrition|Tags: |

March is national nutrition month, a time to focus on the importance of good nutrition. Eating nutritious foods is essential for maintaining your health and well-being. 

For many people, that means taking steps to improve our diets and eating habits. If you’re looking for ways to get your family on the right track,  Texas WIC can help. WIC is a free supplemental nutrition assistance program for expecting mothers, mothers and children up to age 5. 

And it’s been shown to be effective: women and children on WIC have improved birth outcomes and it “significantly improves children’s diets,” according to the USDA.

WIC, A NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM,  HELPS CHILDREN’S & MOMS HEALTH

Free supplemental nutrition assistance programs like WIC helps mothers and their children get a healthy start in many ways, but here are a few ways the supplemental nutrition program helps create healthy eating habits:

  1. Helping to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Fruits and vegetables are packed with fiber and nutrients, and they’re low in calories. They’re also a great source of antioxidants, which can help protect your body from disease.

Texas WIC is now offering more fruits and vegetable benefits than ever. Last year the program increased the program’s benefits to temporarily include even more fruit and vegetable benefits. Learn more about the expanded fruit and vegetable benefits here.

  1. Helping get fiber. 

Getting fiber is a great way to have a healthy diet. A great way to do that is to get whole grains and legumes into our diets. 

Texas WIC helps clients get even more whole grains in their diets. The WIC food lists for expecting mothers and older children include whole grains like whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat pasta and beans, which are filled with fiber.

  1. Diets with less added sugar. 

The WIC program offers healthy cereals as part of its free food benefit packages, to help ensure pregnant women and children have healthy foods that are not filled with extra sugars. 

Sometimes the hardest part of the battle is just knowing which cereal to pick. Texas WIC won’t steer you wrong when it comes to picking a healthy cereal.

JOIN WIC,  FREE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

If you are interested in joining Texas WIC, start your application online today.  

Pick up all your healthy WIC foods – from formula to fruit, vegetables, cereal, whole wheat foods and more – visit Grocery Services North. All of the products in Grocery Services North are WIC approved.

 

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February 2022

Help Your Baby Get Healthy Start With Texas WIC

2022-08-26T01:52:33+00:00February 25th, 2022|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Child Health, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: |

Texas WIC helps new moms provide the healthiest start possible for their babies. The free nutrition assistance program helps provide everything from nutrition education to healthy foods for moms and their babies. 

 Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the WIC program: from what benefits are included, how to apply, and the benefits of the program.

What is WIC?

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five to Texas residents that meet certain income requirements. 

Who Is Eligible For free nutrition assistance from Texas WIC?

If you are on Medicaid, TANF, or SNAP, you meet the income eligibility guidelines for WIC. If you don’t qualify for these programs, you may still qualify for WIC by meeting the income guidelines for your household. You must live in Texas. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to be part of the WIC program. Apply in person to learn if you are eligible. The program is open to:

  • Pregnant women
  • Breastfeeding women
  • Women who had a baby within the last six months
  • Parents, step-parents, guardians, and foster parents of infants and children who are younger than 5

How to find your local WIC office?

To find your local WIC office, visit TexasWIC.org. Using the website’s Clinic Finder Tool you will be able to type in your address and find the nearest clinic to your home. You can also call 800-942-3678 to find a clinic near you.

You can also visit WICDallas.net to find clinics and PWIC grocery stores in the Dallas and surrounding area. PWIC grocery stores, like Grocery Servicers North, cater to WIC clients. The stores primarily carry WIC foods, and help make WIC grocery shopping easier.

How to apply for WIC benefits

To apply for free nutrition assistance from the WIC program, you will need to complete an application and provide documentation of your income, address and identity. You can apply online at TexasWIC.org.You can also set up an appointment by phone by calling 800-942-3678. Once your application is processed, you will be informed of the results and may be eligible to receive WIC benefits.

The benefits of getting free nutrition assistance from WIC

The benefits of using the WIC program include free access to:

  • Nutrition education
  • Monthly food packages that include Healthy foods for you and your baby
  • Referrals to health care providers
  • Free breast pumps and other supplies for breastfeeding mothers

For more information about the WIC program, visit TexasWIC.org.

Apply today to help your baby get a healthy start. 

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How to Eat Healthy With The WIC Program

2022-03-18T15:55:35+00:00February 24th, 2022|Categories: Baby Food, Child Health, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: |

If you’re a mom on a budget, you know how hard it can be to provide your family with healthy meals. But did you know that the Texas WIC program can help? Learn how to eat healthy with WIC.

Texas WIC is a government program that provides financial assistance and nutrition education to low-income families. Learn how the WIC program works and learn a few tips for eating well on a budget.

1. What is WIC and what does it offer participants?

Texas WIC is is a nutrition education program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)  that helps moms provide a healthy start for their babies. The program provides free nutrition education, counseling, breastfeeding support, and free monthly supplemental food packages for pregnant women, postpartum women, and children up to age 5. 

2. How to apply for the WIC program?

If you are a Texas resident that is pregnant or are a mother of a child younger than 5 you can apply for the program by visiting WIC online to start your application or by calling 800-942-3678 to locate a WIC clinic to schedule an appointment to apply. 

3. What foods are available with the WIC program?

There are several free monthly food packages that are different for moms and children based on their age and nutritional needs. There is a specific food package for pregnant mothers that includes foods that, according to WIC, “are low in fat and high in fiber, provide nutritional variety and help promote a healthy weight gain for a healthy baby.”  Infants have packages that may include baby formula and older children have packages that include eggs, fruits and vegetables, cereals, and more.

4. How to use your benefits to eat healthy with WIC

Texas WIC clients receive an EBT card that is loaded each month with their WIC benefits. Clients take their EBT to the store to redeem their benefits. Stores like Grocery Services North – which are PWIC stores that cater to WIC clients – help make it easy for WIC customers to get all their WIC products in one easy stop. 

5. Sample meal ideas using only WIC-approved foods

WIC-approved foods help make it easy to create healthy meals for your family. Use WIC-approved foods to make meals like omelets (which use WIC-approved eggs and vegetables), stir fry (using WIC foods like whole-wheat rice and vegetables), beans, and whole-wheat rice and pasta dishes use whole-wheat pasta and cheese. The options are endless and you know you are going to be eating healthier when you are cooking with WIC foods. Get more recipe ideas using WIC foods on our blog. 

The WIC program is a great way to get started on the path to healthy eating on a budget. With the help of Grocery Services North, it’s easy to find nutritious WIC-approved foods that your family will love.

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Recalled Formula Update

2022-03-16T19:43:11+00:00February 21st, 2022|Categories: Baby Formula, Texas WIC, WIC Food|Tags: , |

We continue to monitor the Abbott Formula recall and update our customers as we become aware of any changes.

To find out if the product you have is included in this recall, visit similacrecall.com and type in the code on the bottom of the package, or call +1-800-986-8540 (U.S.) and follow the instructions provided.

For questions about exchanging or returning your formula for another kind, or about your benefits, please see your WIC Clinic. Texas WIC is working to develop instructions on how to handle the formula recall.  

Here at Grocery Services North, we have gone through our entire inventory and have removed all recalled products. We strive to adhere to and follow all manufacturer recalls.

We are also working with manufacturers to ensure that we receive new, unaffected product in stock as soon as possible. Rest assured that, your health and safety are very important to us. We will update this notice if Abbott puts out anything new on this subject.

Thank you. We do appreciate your business and patience while this manufacturer works to resolve this.

Customers can also contact Similac Customer Service at:

1-800-986-8540 or similacrecall.com

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RECALL ALERT: Check Your Formula

2022-03-16T19:43:35+00:00February 18th, 2022|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Child Health, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , |

The FDA has announced a voluntary recall of Similac products (including Total Comfort, Spit Up and Sensitive). Consumers can check the bottom of their baby formula for the information below:
 
The products under recall have a multidigit number on the bottom of the container starting with the first two digits 22 through 37, contains K8, SH, or Z2 and with an expiration date of April 1, 2022, or after.

HOW TO CHECK IF YOUR FORMULA IS RECALLED

To find out if the product you have is included in this recall, visit similacrecall.com and type in the code on the bottom of the package, or call +1-800-986-8540 (U.S.) and follow the instructions provided. If you have questions about feeding your child, contact your healthcare professional.
 
Check back for updates.
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January 2022

Expecting A Baby in 2022? Let Texas WIC Help

2022-08-26T02:05:04+00:00January 21st, 2022|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Child Health, Texas WIC|Tags: , , , |

If you are expecting a baby in 2022, Texas WIC can help you get off to a healthy start.

The program is open to eligible expecting mothers and mothers with children up to age five. To qualify, Texas residents must meet certain income requirements. (Learn more about the requirements below.) 

Texas WIC benefits are offered to qualifying expectant mothers in order to help them get proper nutrition and education while they are pregnant.  

Pregnant mothers can even get a free food package to help ensure they are getting healthy foods. Expecting mothers can access their FREE benefits with a Texas WIC ebt card, which allows clients to pay for their FREE monthly WIC food benefits such as eggs, cereal, fruits and vegetables and more!

The WIC program also provides important pregnancy education, including FREE online classes that help mothers to be on everything from how to plan for a healthy pregnancy and how to eat healthy while pregnant. Their education guidance also helps mothers know what to expect during pregnancy.

The program continues to help once the baby arrives by providing breastfeeding support and access to healthy nutrition for mothers and their babies.

Mothers can access all their WIC benefits in an easy, hassle-free shopping experience at any Grocery Services North store. There are 11 locations in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. All the groceries in the Primarily WIC store are WIC approved, and our bilingual clerks help make WIC shopping super easy. Find a location online at GroceryServicesNorth.com/locations.

Are you Eligible for Texas WIC? Find Out If Texas WIC Can Help

To qualify for Texas WIC is open to Texas residents that are:

  • Pregnant women
  • Breastfeeding women
  • Infants
  • Families with children younger than 5 years old

Texas residents must also meet income requirements to join Texas WIC.

According to Texas WIC:  “If you are on Medicaid, TANF, or SNAP you meet the income eligibility guidelines for WIC. If you don’t qualify for these programs, you may still qualify for WIC by meeting the income guidelines for your household. The Recovery Rebate Credit, also known as stimulus checks, and the Child Tax Credit direct payments are not included when calculating your income to determine eligibility.”

WIC has provided these Gross Yearly Income guidelines from its website and was updated as of 7/19/22: 

Number of Household Members* Gross Yearly Household Income**
1 $0 up to $25,142
2 $0 up to $33,874
3 $0 up to $42,606
4 $0 up to $51,338
5 $0 up to $60,070
6 $0 up to $68,802

*A pregnant woman’s household is increased by the number of infants she is expecting. For more than 6 household members, or if you have any income questions, call 1-800-942-3678. This information is provided by Texas WIC, and is subject to change. Last updated 7/19/2022.

**Income can also be determined on a weekly or biweekly basis. For more information, call 1-800-942-3678. This information is provided by Texas WIC, and is subject to change. Last updated 7/19/2022.

Apply for Texas WIC online at TexasWIC.org/apply

 

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Healthy Snack With WIC Foods

2022-01-18T23:40:55+00:00January 2nd, 2022|Categories: Grocery Services North, Kid Activities, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , |

Banana Sushi

Healthy Snack With WIC Foods: Peanut Butter, Banana Sushi

Start the New Year off right with a healthy snack with WIC foods for your kids.  All the ingredients in this recipe are WIC foods. Plus, it’s just as fun to eat as it is healthy.

This recipe is a fun activity and snack all rolled up into one. You can have the kids help make the recipe. They will have just as much fun making it as they will eating it. To make it even more fun, let the kids try eating this sushi snack with chopsticks. They will have another fun activity along with their snack.

PEANUT BUTTER, BANANA SUSHI

2 Tablespoons creamy peanut butter

1 Banana

¼ Cup crispy rice cereal such as Rice Crispy Treats

Peel Banana and place on a plate. Spread a layer of peanut butter on all sides of the banana. Roll peanut butter coated banana in cereal. Cut banana into slices and serve on a plate. 

EASY WIC SHOPPING AT GROCERY SERVICES NORTH

Get all your WIC ingredients in one stop at Grocery Services North, which offers hassle-free WIC grocery shopping.  Find a location at groceryservicesnorth.com/locations.

Did you make this WIC-inspired recipe? Let’s be friends.  Tag us on Instagram or Facebook using @groceryservicesnorth

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December 2021

12 Recipes Using WIC Foods For Christmas

2023-11-10T19:53:32+00:00December 21st, 2021|Categories: Grocery Services North, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

This is the perfect time to spend quality time in the kitchen with your family. Food and holidays go hand-and-hand. To help you get in the holiday spirit, here are 12 recipes using WIC foods you might consider making for your family this Christmas.

BERRY BREAD PUDDING

This recipe from the USDA’s MyPlate, features several WIC foods: frozen berries, whole wheat bread and yogurt. https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/berry-bread-pudding

HOMEMADE CHEESE STICKS

Homemade Cheese Sticks

Spending time in the kitchen is the perfect way to get quality time with your kids. This fun snack or appetizer from CookingMatters.org is sure to be a fun one for the whole family to make. It also has several WIC foods. Consider making your own bread crumbs with a slice or two of whole-wheat bread. https://cookingmatters.org/recipe/mozzarella-sticks/

PINEAPPLE CARROT MUFFINS

Every holiday needs a muffin. This one from CookingMatters.org won’t disappoint. It even features WIC-friendly fruits and vegetables. https://cookingmatters.org/recipe/pineapple-carrot-muffins/

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