Grocery Services North

October 2022

Texas WIC Formula Changes Take Effect Oct. 1

2022-10-05T19:50:18+00:00October 1st, 2022|Categories: Baby Formula, Grocery Services North, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , |

On Oct. 1, Texas WIC’s new formula contract went into effect.

Texas WIC’s contract for milk-based formulas has switched from Abbott Laboratories, the makers of Similac, to Mead Johnson, the makers of Enfamil products. The new contract is only for milk-based formulas. All other formula products remain unchanged. 

“All WIC participants receiving standard milk-based infant formulas will be transitioned to Enfamil products for benefits beginning October 2022,” according to a statement from Texas WIC.

There is a Mead Johnson product equivalent for every Abbott Laboratories product.  

If you haven’t already discussed this change with your local WIC office, contact them at your earliest convenience. 

“The WIC program is required to have a contract with one specific formula company to help keep costs down. We renew the contract every 5 years. The award for the contract from October 2022 – September 2027 for milk based formula is Mead Johnson, the makers of Enfamil. The soy-based formula will continue to be with Abbott, the makers of Similac,” according to a statement from Texas WIC.

September 2022

Labor Less This Holiday Weekend

2023-11-10T19:55:04+00:00September 2nd, 2022|Categories: Grocery Services North, Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , |

Make Ahead Recipes Perfect For Enjoying Time With Your Family

All moms need a break. 

Labor Day is the perfect time to take a break from all the extra things you normally do – like extra cooking – and enjoy a special moment with your family. 

Feeding your family can sometimes seem like an all-day event. Mom’s know that kids always seem hungry, and if you aren’t making  breakfast, it’s a snack (or two) and then dinner. Mom’s also need a break. That’s why we have come up with a super easy holiday weekend menu that lets moms take a break and enjoy the holiday.

Pick a few of these recipes below to make ahead of time, giving you extra time to spend with your family. They are super easy recipes the entire family will enjoy. 

ONE PAN CHILI MAC

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 tbsp. paprika

1 tbsp. cumin 

2 tsp. onion powder

2 tsp. garlic powder

Salt to taste

2 cups water

1 8 oz. can of  tomato sauce

8 oz. whole wheat elbow macaroni

8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese or other cheese of your choice

Heat oil in a pan. Add water, tomato sauce, pasta and seasonings, cook on medium-high to bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 10  minutes, stirring until pasta is tender. Sprinkle cheese on top and put the lid on the pan until the cheese is melted. 

CEREAL BAR SNACK

4 cups of WIC-approved cereal of your choice

¾ cup peanut butter

½ cup honey

2 tablespoons butter

Line a square pan with foil or parchment paper. Spray foil with cooking spray. In a large saucepan, heat peanut butter, honey and butter until mixture is boiling and slightly thickened. Place cereal in a bowl. Stir heated peanut butter sauce over cereal. stir until evenly coated. Using the buttered back of the spoon, press the mixture very firmly in a square pan. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until firm enough to cut. Make and place in the refrigerator for up to a week. 

This recipe makes 4 snack boxes you can store in the refrigerator for up to a week. They are great for snacks or lunch.

SNACK IN A BOX

Boil 4 eggs

Cheese slices

1 peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread

Cut fruit

Boil four eggs in hot water for about 7 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water. Peel eggs and slice in half. Slice cheese into bite sized pieces. Make a peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread and cut into 4 pieces. Sliced fruit. Assemble snack boxes and put in the refrigerator for up to one week. Enjoy!

August 2022

2 New Grocery Services North Locations Now Open In Tyler, Longview

2022-08-26T20:43:45+00:00August 26th, 2022|Categories: East Texas, Grocery Services North, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , , |

Grocery Services North opened two new stores in East Texas. WIC clients can now get all their WIC foods in one easy stop in Tyler and Longview. 

 The primarily WIC store in Tyler is at 225 East Amherst #700 and the Longview location is at 2430 South High Street, #C4. Both are conveniently located next door to WIC clinics. 

WIC clients can easily get all their WIC foods in one easy stop. Grocery Services North clerks are bilingual and can help customers in English and Spanish. Customers can check their WIC balance before shopping and see exactly what WIC benefits are remaining. Clerks assist customers throughout the process. 

WIC clients can visit a store, and insert their WIC EBT card at the counter. Bilingual clerks help assist WIC customers get all their desired WIC groceries for checkout. 

WIC clients then approve each item for redemption while a clerk sacks all their groceries.

Grocery Services North is a primarily WIC grocery store chain with locations in Dallas and Waco, TX and now East Texas. The stores offer an easy WIC shopping format that takes the hassle out of WIC shopping.

NEW Product Alert!

2022-08-26T15:43:19+00:00August 26th, 2022|Categories: Grocery Services North, Mom Health, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , |

Grocery Services Offering Kashi® Cereals While Supplies Last

Customers can redeem WIC benefits for Kashi® organic cereals at Grocery Services North locations, while supplies last.

Grocery Services North is currently offering Kashi® Organic Honey Toasted and Kashi® Organic Warm Cinnamon in 12 ounce boxes. 

The cereals are shaped as hearts and O’s, making it a fun and nutritious treat for children and adults. WIC-approved cereals are low in sugar, iron-fortified and are high in fiber. 

Stop by any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Tyler and Longview to pick up your WIC foods in one easy stop.

July 2022

Get Your Peaches!

2022-08-26T21:02:45+00:00July 18th, 2022|Categories: Grocery Services North, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , |

And Other WIC-Approved Foods At Grocery Services North

Justin Bieber should get his peaches at Grocery Services North. 

In his famous song, Peaches, he declares he gets his peaches from Georgia. He should try picking them up at Grocery Services North, where he can get them fresh, frozen and in fruit cups. 

Grocery Services North is a grocery store chain that caters to WIC clients by offering only WIC-approved items. The stores make it super easy to shop for WIC groceries. Customers can check their WIC balance before they shop, and bilingual clerks will walk them through the shopping experience to make sure they get all their WIC foods in one easy stop. 

Texas WIC now offers even more WIC-approved foods, and Grocery Services North is making sure we provide even more options to our customers. 

For example, Texas WIC is currently offering expanded fruit and vegetable benefits which gives families even more benefits to use at the store through September. You can learn more here about these extra benefits.  

Also, Texas WIC is allowing even more food options for these benefits. The benefits can be used on fresh, frozen, cans, glass jars and plastic containers, according to WIC.

So now at Grocery Services North stores you can pick up your peaches fresh, jarred, frozen or in individual serving cups perfect for little hands. 

These expanded WIC-approved food options are making the Texas WIC program an even better option for families that need a helping hand. The program is open to qualifying mothers who are expecting or for children up to age 5.  Learn more here about qualifications. You can apply for Texas WIC online if you aren’t already part of the program at texaswic.org/apply. 

Grocery Services North has locations throughout Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Find a Grocery Services North location near at a WIC clinic near you at groceryservicesnorth.com/locations.

Primarily WIC Stores Coming To East Texas

2022-07-26T13:40:35+00:00July 18th, 2022|Categories: Grocery Services North, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , |

Grocery Services North Opening Tyler, Longview Locations

WIC grocery shopping is about to get easier for East Texans. Primarily WIC stores will soon open in Tyler and Longview.

Grocery Services North will soon open its 10th and 11th Primarily WIC stores in East Texas.  The Tyler location will open at 225 East Amherst #700 and the Longview location is opening at 2430 South High Street, #C4.Both are conveniently located next door to WIC clinics. 

The stores will feature the latest shopping technology in English and Spanish.

“WIC clients can update their WIC benefits, and get all their WIC groceries in one easy stop,” said Cristina Torres, Grocery Services North manager. “Plus, customers can check their WIC balance before shopping and see exactly what WIC benefits are remaining.”

Grocery Services North is a primarily WIC grocery store chain with locations in Dallas and Waco, TX and now East Texas. The stores offer an easy WIC shopping format that takes the hassle out of WIC shopping. 

PRIMARILY WIC STORES COMING SOON EAST TEXAS

The Primarily WIC store in Tyler and Longview will only be stocked with WIC-approved groceries – including everything from baby formula, specialty baby formula, milk, eggs, cheese, beans, tuna, peanut butter to fresh fruits and vegetables. Grocery Services North makes it super easy to get all your WIC groceries in one easy stop.

WIC clients can visit a store, insert their WIC EBT card at the counter to see all of their redeemable WIC benefits before they shop. Bilingual clerks help assist WIC customers get all their desired WIC groceries for checkout. WIC clients then approve each item for redemption while a clerk sacks all their groceries.

 “Customers don’t have to wonder if their groceries are WIC approved or search aisles looking for groceries,” Ms. Torres said.

WIC Approved Fruits and Vegetables

2022-07-21T14:47:09+00:00July 11th, 2022|Categories: Dallas, Grocery Services North, Meal Planning, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , |

Expanded WIC Approved Fruits and Vegetables Benefit Extended Thru September

Texas WIC has extended it’s expanded fruit and vegetable benefits thru the end of September. Now clients can get even more WIC approved fruits and vegetables.

According to WIC, the new WIC approved fruits and vegetables benefit is currently:

  • Children get $24 each month 
  • Pregnant, postpartum and some breastfeeding clients get $43 each month 
  • Fully and partially breastfeeding clients get $47 each month.

For example, 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 in April, May and June to buy fruit and vegetables, according to WIC.

WIC clients should contact a local WIC office if they have questions about these benefits. 

The expanded WIC fruit and vegetable benefits are expected to return to $11 for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and $9 for children Oct. 1.

WIC clients can get all their WIC groceries in one easy stop at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas and Waco. Grocery Services North caters to WIC clients and locations are located conveniently to WIC offices to help customers get WIC in one trip. 

June 2022

Enjoy Summer WIC Foods This July 4!

2022-08-26T04:41:53+00:00June 24th, 2022|Categories: Grocery Services North, Kid Activities, Meal Planning, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , |

Summer is in full swing. Que the fireworks because this July 4th is going to be HOT! We have summer WIC foods and fun activities your plans this holiday weekend.

If you are ready to kick off July 4th with a big bang, we have some great tips to help you cool down and chill and celebrate with your family this holiday weekend – all spotlighting foods WIC foods you can redeem with your EBT card.

The fun doesn’t stop there. We also rounded up some family-friendly activities for the entire family. 

SUMMER WIC FOODS: PICNIC PERFECT (SPOTLIGHTING WIC INGREDIENTS)

Many people will fire up the grill this holiday weekend. We have the perfect grill addition and a few sides that go perfect with your family picnic.

 

SUMMER WIC FOODS: GRILLED POTATOES

Wrap your russet potatoes up in foil and throw them on the grill. Before closing the foil, feel free to add your favorite seasoning blend and a little olive oil for some extra flavor. Place them on the grill rack and let them cook. You know they are done when a knife slides easily into the center of the potato. Remove from grill and let cool. Remove foil and get ready for the fluffiest, smokiest tasting “baked”  potato you can imagine. Add toppings (cheese, plain yogurt, salt, and pepper to taste) of your choice. 

SUMMER WIC FOODS: SALSA MADE WITH GRILLED PEACHES 

While your grill is out, slice open peaches ( a great summer WIC food) in half and throw them cut side down on the grill for this amazing recipe you will want to keep eating ALL SUMMER LONG.

4 ripe peaches pitted and sliced in half

1 red onion diced

2 ripe tomato diced

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional)

1 lime juiced

Salt & pepper to taste

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Brush the peaches with olive oil and place them cut-side down onto the grill. Grill for about 5 minutes until the peaches are soft but not mushy. In a bowl combine the remaining ingredients. Remove hot peaches from the grill. Let them cool before dicing them. Add to bowl and mix with remaining ingredients. Serve.

INDEPENDENCE DAY FAMILY FUN 

Spending time with loved ones is the best medicine. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to put a smile on a kid’s face and enjoy quality family time. In fact, sometimes the simpler things are the best.  Here are a few ideas we loved for spending extra quality time with the family this holiday weekend. 

DON’T WASTE TIME, GET YOUR SUMMER WIC FOODS TODAY!

With so much family fun planned, stop by any Grocery Services North locations to pick up all your WIC groceries in one easy stop. Don’t search aisles for WIC-approved foods. Grocery Services North caters to WIC clients, and everything in the store is WIC approved. You will be in and out with your groceries for your family picnic. Find a location near a WIC clinic near you on our website.

 

 

Ways To Save Money This Summer

2022-06-22T13:18:31+00:00June 21st, 2022|Categories: Dallas, Grocery Services North, Meal Planning, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , |

Everything seems to cost more these days: gas, groceries, and almost everything else. Here are a few tips to help parents save money this summer on everything from groceries to gas. HINT: Maximizing Texas WIC can help!

MAKE FEWER TRIPS

One way to save gas money is to try to fit in as many errands into the same trip. Fewer trips to an area help reduce the number of miles you are driving to get there and back.  Mapping out your errands this way also helps you save time. 

For example, if you are driving to a WIC clinic to renew your benefits then pick up your WIC groceries at a nearby PWIC store that caters to WIC clients. Stores like Grocery Services North locations are usually really really close to WIC clinics. Sometimes they are even next door. Find a PWIC store near you at GroceryServicesNorth.com/locations.

SAVE MONEY WITH WIC: USE EBT

Another way to save money is to make sure you redeem all your EBT benefits. Remember, if you don’t use your WIC benefits by the end of the month they expire. SNAP benefits never expire so redeem your WIC benefits first. Bonus, Grocery Services North locations accept WIC and SNAP EBT. 

Using programs like WIC for food benefits will help you save money on food. Plus, PWIC stores like Grocery Services North caters to WIC clients. That means we have all your WIC items in one place, and the bilingual staff is familiar with the program if you need help. 

PLAN YOUR MENU AHEAD, SAVE MONEY WITH WIC FOODS

Another way to save money is to plan your menu for the week or even the month ahead. It also helps create less waste. For example, if you roast veggies you can use them for two meals in one week by using them in a stir-fry one night, as a side, or even in a salad or a grilled sandwich. It also helps you save time because you can cook multiple meals at one time. If you are looking for tips on meal planning check out this article. 

Plus, check out our blog for more recipe ideas using WIC foods. 

It’s also a great activity for kids. When you get them involved, you can have age-appropriate conversations about healthy foods, meal planning, and not wasting food.