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March Is National Nutrition Month®

You may have heard: It’s National Nutrition Month®! The campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics helps create awareness throughout the month to help raise awareness to eat healthy and get active with “Personalize your Plate.”  Among the tips are:

  1. Eat a variety of healthy foods every day.
  2. Plan your meals each week
  3. Learn skills to create tasty meals
  4. Consult a Registered Dietician Nutritionist when needed.

The organization has created a great website full of recipes, tips and guides for healthy eating in March in beyond. Their experts also offer great tips for expecting moms and mothers feeding babies and children.  (more…)

2022-03-18T15:27:05+00:00March 22nd, 2021|Categories: Child Health, Mom Health, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments
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Recipes Using WIC Foods

Sometimes the key to a healthy start is as simple as having a few new recipes to try. Let’s try a few NEW recipes, using WIC-approved ingredients, to help us get started on the right track.

We think the best recipes are the ones without any extra ingredients and don’t require a lot of fuss. Most mothers, afterall, don’t have a lot of extra time to waste. Since breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day, we are going to start there. Our first recipe uses several WIC-approved ingredients.

(more…)

2023-11-10T19:54:45+00:00March 2nd, 2021|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes|Tags: , |0 Comments
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Easy WIC Grocery Shopping

Grocery Services North Makes WIC Shopping Easy

Don’t waste time searching aisles for pink stickers and WIC groceries. Grocery Services North offers a unique shopping experience for WIC Clients that saves them time, money and stress.

Grocery Services North is a Primarily WIC grocery store chain located near WIC Clinics, sometimes even right next door. We want to make it as easy as possible for WIC clients to redeem their benefits.

FAST, CONVENIENT WIC SHOPPING Easy WIC grocery shopping

After visiting a WIC office to redeem your benefits, WIC clients can visit Grocery Services North to get fresh produce, organic baby food, baby formula and even special prescription formulas your baby needs. We also don’t put limits on your redemptions for items like formula. 

Our unique shopping experience will get you in and out fast. 

When you arrive, you will insert your WIC or SNAP card into our card reader, where your benefits will be listed clearly for you to read. We ask you what products you would like to redeem and our bilingual staff gathers your WIC items for you to take home. This fast, easy shopping approach keeps you out of large crowds and gets you out of the store fast. 

This unique shopping experience is also less stressful at checkout.  We take the guesswork out of knowing if your items are WIC approved to help you avoid long conversations after standing in line and searching the store for your items.

We also accept SNAP. A lot of moms use SNAP to buy extra formula or more healthy food items while you are already picking up your WIC groceries.

WE KNOW WIC

Our bilingual staff is knowledgeable about the WIC program.  We can help answer your questions and make your shopping experience easier.

Because we know the program, we also are able to have products available that you need. For example, we are able to get certains baby formulas you might have hard time finding in other locations. We even carry prescription formulas, for babies that may have allergies, that are even harder to find. If you need a special formula, visit or call one of our locations.

Woman, Infants & Children (WIC) is a FREE nutrition supplement program for mothers and their children up  to age 5. The program provides free nutrition counseling, classes, breastfeeding support and healthy foods at no cost, including baby formula and baby food. To apply for WIC, visit a clinic or apply online. Visit a Grocery Services North location today in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview to find out just how easy WIC shopping can be. 

 

2022-08-25T20:57:43+00:00February 26th, 2021|Categories: Grocery Services North, Meal Planning, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
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Grocery Services North Opening Friday Feb. 19th

Grocery Services North plans to open tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 19, 2020 at 10am. Starting Saturday we will resume regular hours.
 
We have been closed the first part of this week due to extreme winter weather.
 
Grocery Services North will resume these hours as long as locations have full electrical power and staff is able to get to work safely. Should there be any change to this schedule due to unforeseen circumstances, we will provide updates on our Facebook page.
 
We accept WIC and SNAP. We do not limit redemptions.
 
Stay Safe!
2022-03-18T15:13:25+00:00February 18th, 2021|Categories: Dallas, Grocery Services North|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments
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WIC Babies Grow Healthy & Strong

Achieve Baby Milestones

As babies grow from infants to toddlers they graduate dozens of baby milestones, from eating purees, finger foods and walking. Your baby’s pediatrician can help you learn if your baby is on track. Being aware of major developments can ensure your tot is staying on track. Texas WIC can also help your baby sty on track and grow healthy and strong.

Bringing a newborn home from the hospital can be overwhelming. There is so much to learn and process – how to feed, making sure they are safe and loved, learning to decode their baby language. As you get to know your baby and all the traits that make them uniquely them, you will also start picking up on your baby’s developments. It’s something you can observe and watch from Day 1. It’s also one of the biggest joys of being a parent, watching your baby grow and learn. There are endless resources online about baby milestones, but don’t get overwhelmed and remember they are just a guide. Your baby’s doctors are the ultimate resource.

Plus, any resource you use (online, book, etc.) are only tools to help you ask the right questions to your doctor.  One great online resource is, Texas WIC. Their experts have outlined some of the milestone highlights of a baby’s first year online.

WIC & BABIES

INFANT DEVELOPMENT When you first bring your baby home, most of your attention will be focused on your baby’s eating, sleeping and baby communication (or crying). You will start to notice signs that your baby is hungry, including when they might be crying or sucking on their tiny hands. They may also try to nuzzle you to get fed. You will learn the signs your baby is trying to tell you as you get to know them.  Texas WIC, a free program that guides mothers in providing healthy habits for their children, offers a lot of tools to help mothers feed their children, including these tips online.  The program helps mothers provide healthy nutrition for their babies on the WIC program. By the end of the first month, you may notice your baby keeps their hands in tight fists, can move head side-to-side while on their tummy and can recognize your voice. 

2-6 MONTHS By the time your baby is at the end of two months, your baby will likely be smiling at faces, can calm themselves with hand sucking and can hold their head up when on their tummy, according to the CDC. Their experts also recommend talking to your doctor if your baby doesn’t respond to loud sounds or can’t hold their head up. At 4 months, your baby will likely be mimicking movements and faces, begin to babble and may be able to roll from tummy to back, according to the CDC milestone markers.

At 6 months, they may be responding to their own name, bringing objects to their mouth and rolling over in both directions, according to the CDC milestone guide. 

Texas WIC recommends on their website to contact Early Childhood Intervention Services if you are still concerned about your child’s development after talking to their physician. ECIS is a statewide program. You can learn more about their programs online. If you are interested in joining Texas WIC to help your baby grow healthy and strong, you can apply online. 

Grocery Services North is a Dallas-area grocery store chain that specializes in providing an easy WIC-grocery shopping experience. Find a location near you to easily shop for WIC groceries at any of the Dallas and WIC locations.

2022-03-19T00:57:27+00:00February 11th, 2021|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Child Health, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , |0 Comments
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Soup Is Great WIC-Friendly Meal For Kids

Soup is a great meal for kids and toddlers. Let’s celebrate soup during National Soup Month.

Let’s Celebrate This WIC Friendly Meal! January is National Soup Month.

We can’t think of a better way to use WIC ingredients during cold weather months than to have a nice bowl of homemade soup, a very WIC friendly meal for  your kids. 

Texas WIC is a nutritional assitance program that helps women and their kids get healthy, nutritous foods. The FREE program also provides nutrition support, counseling and classes. To find if you are elegible, visit TexasWIC.org online to apply.

It can be hard for families to find time to get meals on the table. Soup is a one-pot meal that often doesn’t require a ton of work, but can spotlight a lot of healthy ingredients. Plus, not many foods offer as much comfort or nutrition than a nice warm bowl of homemade soup. 

WIC FOOD CLASS

Soup is also a great way for little ones to experience different food tastes and textures. Just make sure the ingredients are age-appropriate and soft enough for them to eat. Not sure if your child is ready?  Visit Texas WIC’s guidelines online to find out if your baby is ready for solids (like the veggies in the soup).   Texas WIC will also offer a Live Discussion class Feb. 3 about “Live Discussion on Table Foods and the Older Baby.”  You can enroll online. 

Visit the USDA’s MyPlate website for a little inspiration for recipes using WIC foods. One of our favorites was this one. It has vegetables and dairy and we think your kids will love this WIC friendly meal as much as you do. 

TRY THIS WIC FRIENDLY MEAL

Cream of Broccoli Soup II

Using pantry staples and frozen broccoli, this hearty soup can be made in 10 minutes. Use 1% or fat-free milk to keep it even healthier.

Ingredients

  • 1 package frozen, chopped broccoli (10 ounces)
  • 1 can carrots or mixed vegetables, drained
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup (10 ounces)
  • 1 1/4 cups 1% low fat milk
  • 1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese, low-fat (can use 1/4 to 1/2 cup)

In a saucepan, prepare broccoli according to directions. Drain off water. Add carrots, cream of mushroom soup, and one soup can full of milk to the broccoli. Stir over low heat until steaming hot and vegetables are cooked. Add cheese, stirring until melted. Serve hot. Refrigerate leftovers.

Don’t forget you can get your WIC foods at Grocery Services North. Visit any of our locations today for a unique WIC grocery shopping experience.

2022-01-04T17:43:27+00:00January 30th, 2021|Categories: Baby Food, Child Health, Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
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Healthy Pregnancy, Food & WIC

What You Eat During Pregnancy Matters

Are you craving ice cream or pickles? 

 Your body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy. Hormones are in overdrive. You are using extra energy to grow a tiny human. It’s understandable if you have a few cravings. 

While you might be tempted to feed all your cravings, you might have to keep some of them in check. If you are craving a huge green salad by all means go for it. If you want to take down an entire pint of ice cream  in one sitting – every day – you might want to consider moderation.

Some women might think that you get “permission” to gain a lot of weight once you are pregnant. But you might be surprised it’s normal to gain about 25 to 35 pounds, depending on your pre-pregnancy weight. Sticking to a healthy routine will also make your delivery and post delivery easier. 

For a healthy pregnancy, Texas WIC advises that women carrying multiple babies might gain more. If you are overweight you may need to gain less. Also, weight gain will happen slowly. During the first 3 months, women usually gain 1 to 5 pounds. In the last 6 months, it may be more like 1 pound per week. Texas WIC experts also  recommend that most women only need an additional 350 to 450 calories a day during the last 6 months. 

HEALTHY NUTRITION HABITS & WIC 

While pregnant or breastfeeding, Texas WIC nutritionists encourage mothers to eat foods with vitamin c (tomatoes, strawberries and oranges). They also recommend eating two foods with iron together like chicken and beans. Getting calcium from dairy and fiber from fruits and vegetables also helps you and your baby.

Keep in mind you are now eating to fuel yourself and help grow your baby.  You both need lots of nutrients to help keep you healthy.

You can get a wide array of nutrients by eating a variety of foods.  It may also help to write down the foods  you eat each day to help make sure you are getting a good mix. Make sure you are eating vegetables, fruit, dairy, protein and whole grains. 

If you would like more tips for a healthy pregnancy, Texas WIC also offers the following free classes online, including Healthy Eating, Healthy Pregnancy and Nutrition. 

The class offers guidance to mothers about eating healthy foods to help them and their baby, explains heartburn, nausea and constipation during pregnancy and also offers tips to help stay healthy. 

HEALTH PREGNANCY WIC CLASSES

To take the classes, visit the Texas WIC website. Texas WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program for Woman, Infants and Children. To find out if you qualify, visit a Dallas Area WIC Clinic.

2022-03-21T15:30:44+00:00January 26th, 2021|Categories: Meal Planning, Mom Health, Pregnancy|Tags: , , , , , |0 Comments
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Importance of Folic Acid During Pregnancy

Folic Acid & Pregnancy

Vitamin C helps fight colds.  Calcium builds strong healthy bones. Folic acid can help prevent birth defects in babies. If you are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, it’s important to get enough folic acid.

Women who have never been pregnant may not be aware of the importance of folic acid during pregnancy.  It’s not a nutrient most of us talk about –  unless you are considering becoming pregnant.

Folate is a type of Vitamin B found in the body that is important to the process of making new cells and to the creation of the neural tube that forms a baby’s brain and spinal cord.  These developments happen during the first month of pregnancy, which is why mothers need to have enough folate before they become pregnant.

Without enough folate a baby is at risk of being born with severe birth defects such as spina bifida.

If a woman can become pregnant, it is recommended she take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid (the man-made version of folate) daily to help prevent birth defects, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.  

Women can get the recommended amount by taking a vitamin with folic acid and/or eating foods high in folate.

WIC FOODS & FOLIC ACID

The Texas WIC program, an educational and nutritional resource for expecting mothers, outlines that folate (the natural form of folic acid) can be found naturally in foods such as:  

  • Broccoli, 
  • Asparagus
  • Lima beans, dried beans, and peas
  • Spinach and turnip greens
  • Oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit
  • Nuts and sunflower seeds

Some rice, pasta, bread, and breakfast cereals are also enriched with folic acid.

Getting enough folic acid is just one way a woman can help ensure she has a healthy pregnancy. Visit a Texas WIC clinic near you to see if you are eligible for the free program aimed at helping Texas mothers ensure they have a healthy pregnancy. You can find a clinic by visiting our location page. Shop Grocery Services North for healthy fruits and vegetables.

2022-03-21T15:31:38+00:00January 19th, 2021|Categories: Baby Food, Child Health, Pregnancy, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
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WIC Milk

Today Is National Milk Day

Let’s Celebrate Milk

Today, Jan. 11th, is National Milk Day, we celebrate milk – your first drink.  Milk in all forms provides an array of vitamins and nutrients for babies for more than their first few years. So let’s celebrate milk, in all of it’s forms – breastmilk, formula and dairy milk.  It is believed that National Milk Day commemorates the day the first milk deliveries in glass bottles began in the United States.   Milk from mom is likely the first place you ever get milk.  Nutritionists at Texas WIC want mother’s to know the importance of breast milk.  (more…)

2022-03-16T15:04:46+00:00January 11th, 2021|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Child Health, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
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SNAP Welcome at Grocery Services North

We Accept SNAP

Did you know Grocery Services North, a primarily Dallas area WIC grocery store, also accepts SNAP? Our locations are near Dallas WIC Clinics  to help make it easier for WIC Clients to redeem theirGrocery Services North accepts SNAP benefits. While you are picking up your healthy WIC foods, you can also redeem your SNAP food benefits at our locations. Also during times of low availability of standard grocery items, traditional grocery stores may limit the amount or number of items that can be redeemed. At our stores we never limit your redemptions. If you are approved by the government for the benefit, you can redeem as much as you like. Many mothers on WIC also choose to use their SNAP benefit at our WIC store to purchase additional baby formula. Woman Infants and Children (WIC) is a nutrition supplement program to assist mothers get the healthiest start for their children, up to age 5. The program provides FREE nutrition education, breastfeeding support, classes and food packages for qualifying women. WIC clients may also be eligible for SNAP, a program to help adults buy food. If you are a SNAP client, you can pick up qualifying food products at any of our locations. SNAP BENEFITS INCREASING Governor Greg Abbott announced this week that beginning in January, SNAP recipients will receive a 15 percent increase in their total benefits, which will continue monthly until June 2021. The additional 15 percent increase and the emergency allotment amount should appear in recipients’ accounts by Jan. 23. “Thank you to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for extending these benefits and increasing the amount of benefits that Texas families will receive,” said Governor Abbott. “These emergency SNAP benefits continue to help put food on the table for many Texas families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.” Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at YourTexasBenefits.com

2022-03-19T00:25:49+00:00January 6th, 2021|Categories: Grocery Services North, Meal Planning, Texas WIC, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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