Grocery Services North

February 2022

Recipes Using WIC Foods: Egg Frittata Muffins

2023-11-10T19:53:19+00:00February 3rd, 2022|Categories: Grocery Services North, Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

Cooking with Foods Approved By WIC, Eggs

This easy frittata muffin recipe is likely to become a staple in your household. These Frittata Muffins make a great healthy breakfast or tasty snack, and they’re perfect for meal prepping or when you’re on the go. Frittata muffins are great for using whatever produce you have in your fridge waiting to be used. Plus they are made with foods approved by WIC, eggs.

WIC Inspired Recipes – Frittata Muffins

Frittata Muffins

Nonstick cooking spray

6 large eggs

½ cup whole milk

Salt & pepper

½ cup shredded cheese

Your choice of vegetables. I like to use the following:

⅓ cup chopped onion

⅓ cup chopped bell pepper

⅓ cup chopped spinach (fresh or frozen)

½ cup chopped portobello mushrooms

1 zucchini, sliced thin

Heat oven to 350, spray muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, ¼ tsp salt, ⅛ tsp pepper.  Stir in cheese & vegetables of your choice.  Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Add one slice of zucchini to each muffin cup & press into egg mixture until covered. Bake for 20 minutes. Let the frittata muffins cool for 5 minutes, then remove from cups & serve. To reheat any leftovers, place in the microwave for 30 seconds.

WIC INSPIRED RECIPES FROM GROCERY SERVICES NORTH

Get all your WIC groceries in one easy stop at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Bilingual clerks personally help you get all your WIC foods without all the hassle.

Did you make this recipe with food approved by WIC: Egg Frittata Muffins? Let’s be friends.  Tag us on Instagram or Facebook using @groceryservicesnorth

USE WIC EGGS FOR OTHER RECIPES

Visit our blog for more recipes using WIC-approved foods.

 

 

January 2022

WIC Inspired Recipe – French Toast & Grilled Peaches

2022-08-26T02:07:44+00:00January 13th, 2022|Categories: Grocery Services North, Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , , , |

Looking for a delicious way to eat your WIC-approved foods. Give this WIC inspired recipe a try for breakfast, lunch or dinner:

French Toast & Grilled Peaches

Try out this breakfast classic with a fresh twist!

Ingredients:

4 slices of bread

4 eggs

1 ripe peach

1 tbsp Butter

Cinnamon

Honey or Maple Syrup

Powdered Sugar, optional

Cut slices of bread in half, triangle-shaped & set aside. Crack 4 eggs into a medium-sized bowl & whisk. Heat pan on medium-high heat & melt 1 tbsp of butter. Take a slice of bread & dip into egg mixture on both sides, then add to pan & repeat. Brown each side of toast on both sides & add cinnamon as it’s cooking. Cut the peach into slices & add to pan. Cook until browned on each side. Top the french toast with the peaches, add honey, a dash of cinnamon, & any other toppings of your choice. Makes 2 Servings Enjoy!

WIC INSPIRED RECIPES FROM GROCERY SERVICES NORTH

Get all your WIC groceries in one easy stop at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Bilingual clerks personally help you get all your WIC foods without all the hassle.

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

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

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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November 2021

Planning Thanksgiving Recipes Helps Make Holiday More Fun

2022-03-16T19:45:07+00:00November 19th, 2021|Categories: Grocery Services North, Meal Planning, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , |

Turkey Day is almost here. There is so much to be thankful for this year. It may be the first time in a  couple of years we can more safely gather with family and friends. Bringing back some of our familiar holiday traditions will be even sweeter this year. 

Getting ready for the day can be less stressful if planning in advance. Here are some tips to help make the day full of fun. 

PLANNING IS THE KEY

The most important step is planning in advance. Plan your menu, plan your shopping and plan what you can make in advance. Remember, simple is usually better. 

Get all your shopping done as early as possible. One way to save time and money is by getting all your WIC foods at Grocery Services North early in the week. Click on our blog post here for our special Thanksgiving Week hours. WIC Food Shopping

Use your expanded WIC fruit and vegetable allowance to pick up produce for your Thanksgiving sides: bread, potatoes, onions, carrots, frozen vegetables, cheese and fruit just to name a few. Beans, another WIC-approved food, also make a great Thanksgiving Day side. 

Use ingredients you have to plan your menu. You can make a list on your phone or the old-fashioned way with paper and pencil. Making a list will help you make sure you have everything you need, and help plan out your recipes. 

There are so many recipes options for creating a Thanksgiving Day menu, and they don’t have to be complicated or use 100 ingredients. Simple is usually better. If you are looking for a few places online to find healthy, simple recipes check out these websites:

Texas WIC: Texas WIC has some great healthy recipes using WIC foods. Here are some of our favorites for Thanksgiving: Apple Crisp, Sweet Potato BallsCitrus Glazed Carrots,  Fruit Salad & Fruit Dip and Carrot Bread

Cooking Matters: This website is full of great, healthy recipes. Here are a few your family might like for Thanksgiving: Banana Pudding, baked apples and tips for cooking beans.

USDA: This website offers several recipes for Thanksgiving Day and they even have recipes for your leftovers. 

SIMPLE IS BETTER

Thanksgiving TurkeyDoes the thought of cooking turkey stress you out? You don’t have to cook an entire turkey. Make a small turkey breast or turkey tenderloin. They are much less intimidating and usually cost less than cooking an entire bird. Or, roast a chicken. You could also skip making a traditional Thanksgiving and opt for making your family’s favorite meal. 

If you are making a turkey, check out the USDA’s tips for cooking a bird here.

Thanksgiving FamilyENJOY ALL THE MOMENTS  

Spending time with your kids, family and friends is the best part of the day. After your meal, find time to play outside or go for a walk. It’s a great activity for the whole family.  Everyone at Grocery Services North wishes you and your family a happy and safe Thanksgiving. All of our locations will be open regular hours on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Find a location here. We also accept SNAP. Hope to see you soon. 

 

October 2021

Expanded WIC Benefits For Produce Extended

2022-08-26T01:26:25+00:00October 11th, 2021|Categories: Grocery Services North, Texas WIC, WIC Food|Tags: |

Get More WIC Fruits, Vegetables Until End of Year

EXPANDED WIC BENEFITS ALERT: Texas WIC is has extended a popular expanded benefit to get even more WIC produce through Dec. 31. The extra benefits will be added to your card to redeem with your other WIC benefits.

According to TexasWIC.org the extended fruit and vegetable benefits provide the following:

  • Children get $24 (in fruit and vegetable benefits) 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 October, November and December to buy fruit and vegetables.

 TexasWIC.org states, “You will see this new amount on your shopping list under your benefit amount. If you already have benefits on your card for October or November, your WIC office may contact you for a time to update your benefits. Contact your local WIC office if you have any questions.”

You can use your expanded WIC benefits at any Grocery Services North location. Grocery Services North is a chain of primarily WIC grocery stores that offers an easy, hassle-free shopping experience for WIC clients. You don’t have to search aisles to find WIC-approved products. Instead, our bilingual clerks will personally help you get all the items you want. To find out how easy WIC shopping can be, visit any of our stores in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview today. Find a location near you in the link below:

https://groceryservicesnorth.com/locations/

 

September 2021

Texas WIC Helps Displaced LA WIC Families

2022-08-26T01:47:25+00:00September 16th, 2021|Categories: Dallas, Grocery Services North, Texas WIC, WIC Food|Tags: , |

Texas WIC Helps LA WIC Families

Texas WIC helps. The organization is offering a helping hand to Louisiana WIC families displaced by Hurricane Ida. “Wherever you find yourself in Texas, WIC can help transfer your benefits, replace your lost foods and assist with breastfeeding during this time of need,” according to social media posts by WIC agencies.  To find contact information of a Texas WIC office near you, enter the zip code of your current location at https://find.texaswic.org/?wicType=Clinic&lge=a8Jwz9Jlia. Breastfeeding assistance is available 24/7 for all moms at 855-550-6667.

PRIMARILY WIC GROCERY STORES HELP 

If you would like to redeem your WIC benefits in an easy, hassle-free store you can find primarily WIC grocery stores by visiting the links below. Primarily WIC grocery stores aim to provide quality WIC-approved products in an easy, hassle-free shopping experience, allowing WIC clients to pick up all your WIC groceries in one convenient stop. SNAP also accepted. Find a primarily WIC grocery store near you with the links below.

AUSTIN

Visit LoneStarFamilyMarket.com, a chain of primarily WIC grocery stores in Austin with locations also in Round Rock and San Marcos. Visit WICaustin.net for a list of WIC clinics and primarily WIC grocery stores.

DALLAS

Visit GroceryServicesNorth.com, a chain of primarily WIC grocery stores with locations in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Visit WICDallas.net to find WIC clinics and primarily wic grocery stores in Dallas. 

WACO

Visit WICWaco.com for a list of WIC clinics and primarily WIC grocery stores. You can also visit GroceryServicesNorth.com You can also visit TexasWIC.net to find primarily WIC grocery stores and WIC clinics in Texas.

SAN ANTONIO

Visit JCFoodMart.com in San Antonio, a chain of primarily WIC grocery stores in San Antonio. Visit WICSanAntonio.net to find WIC clinics and primarily WIC grocery stores in San Antonio.

 

WIC helps! Thank you Texas WIC for helping LA WIC families!

WIC & Gerber Organic Cereal

2022-08-26T00:51:35+00:00September 8th, 2021|Categories: Baby Food, Child Health, Grocery Services North, WIC Food|Tags: , , |

Redeem WIC For Gerber Organic Cereal

Redeem your WIC benefits for organic Gerber baby cereal next time you visit Grocery Services North.  All of our locations are now providing Gerber organic cereals to help you provide the best nutrition for your baby.

Organic cereals will help your little one get a healthy start to eating solid foods. It’s the #1 Pediatrician recommended brand for infant cereals and provides “essential nutrients – like iron, B vitamins, vitamins E and C, zinc and calcium,” according to Gerber. 

The organic cereal is commonly one of the first solid foods for babies to try, and is usually recommended when your baby is a supported sitter from 4-6 months. 

Grocery Services North will offer Organic Gerber Rice and Oatmeal Cereal in 8oz containers. Grocery Services North is a chain of primarily WIC grocery stores in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview that aims to provide quality WIC-approved products in an easy, hassle-free shopping experience. WIC clients can check their WIC EBT balance before they shop and bilingual clerks will help them through the entire shopping experience. Everything in the store is WIC approved.

Pick up Gerber Organic Cereal and all your WIC groceries in one convenient stop. SNAP is also accepted. Find a location near you by visiting our website.

Need Help With Food? WIC, SNAP Can Help

2022-01-04T16:56:30+00:00September 2nd, 2021|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Grocery Services North, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , |

Sometimes everyone needs a helping hand with their groceries. Food assistance programs – like Woman, Infant and Children (WIC) and SNAP – can offer much needed help putting food on your table so you don’t have to worry how you are going to get your next meal.

WOMAN, INFANT & CHILDREN (WIC)

Texas WIC provides free food assistance for pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women and children up to age 5. The program is for Texas residents that meet  income requirements. WIC recipients get free nutrition counseling and education, breastfeeding support and food assistance to help ensure children get a healthy start. 

WIC participants get their monthly food package benefits loaded onto an ebt card that can be redeemed for WIC foods. 

Pregnant mothers may get food packages that include cereal, beans, dairy, fruits & vegetables and more. Infant children would qualify for a food package that includes baby formula and baby food. Older children would qualify for packages that include milk, eggs, cheese, bread, fruits & vegetables and more. To learn more about food packages visit WIC online

The program is a great tool for mothers to ensure that their babies are getting the right nutrition that they need. Afterall, baby formula is expensive, and you don’t need to worry if your little one will have enough.  Apply online at TexasWIC.org/apply.

SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

SNAP , sometimes called a food stamp program, is a food assistance program that loads benefits onto an ebt card, used like a debit card, called the Lone Star Card, to pay for groceries. To see if you qualify, visit YourTexasBenefits.com

MAXIMIZING FOOD STAMP BENEFITS

If you qualify for both programs, understanding key differences can help you maximize your benefits. 

WIC expires at the end of each month. If not used, SNAP rolls over to the next month to be used later. To maximize food stamp benefits, use WIC benefits first. Any SNAP benefits you don’t use during the month can roll to the next month up to a year.  If you don’t use WIC benefits during the month it was issued, you lose them. To maximize all your benefits, use WIC first and roll what you don’t use for SNAP to the next month.

WIC is geared toward paying for nutritious food for growing children up to age 5. SNAP can be used for adults and older children. 

Also, some WIC clients that have both WIC and SNAP use their SNAP benefits for extra baby formula for their little ones if it is needed.

Grocery Services North can help you avoid the hassle redeeming any of your food benefits. We cater to families that need food assistance. Because our staff is familiar with food assistance programs, you won’t have any hassle at check out, and you will be in and out with nutritious food for your family in one easy stop. 

Grocery Services North stores provide all the food categories for the WIC program so you don’t have to search aisles trying to determine what qualifies for WIC. We also accept SNAP. To find a location near you, visit GroceryServicesNorth.com/locations.

August 2021

Prepping WIC Produce To Eat

2022-08-26T00:12:41+00:00August 17th, 2021|Categories: Grocery Services North, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , |

How To Care For Your Fruits & Vegetables

You picked up your fresh WIC produce from the store, but before you cook and prepare your favorite recipes it’s important to take a few steps to prepare your WIC fruit and vegetables. 

You should wash all of your produce under running water and dry with a clean paper towel as soon as you bring it home. Also, cut away any damaged or bruised areas before you eat or prepare, according to guidelines from the CDC. 

The CDC also recommends: “Keeping fruits and vegetables separate from raw foods that come from animals, such as meat, poultry, and seafood and refrigerating fruits and vegetables within 2 hours after you cut, peel, or cook them (or 1 hour if the outside temperature is 90° or warmer). Chill them at 40°F or colder in a clean container.”

If you don’t think you will eat your fresh produce before it goes bad, you can always freeze it. Frozen bananas are great in smoothies. For best results, blanch vegetables like broccoli before freezing. Place cut broccoli in boiling water for about 3 three minutes, derailed, cooled and placed in freezer bags and then freeze. 

Blanching times for vegetables vary, but there are a lots of guides, like this one, from the Texas Agricultural Extension Office.

TEXAS WIC PRODUCE CLASSES

Texas WIC currently offers two Click & Learn classes on their website that offers great information about preparing and eating fruits and vegetables. To sign up for the free classes, visit the following website and follow the instructions for taking the classes. Dallas WIC Produce

The first WIC class, Food Safety at Home teaches about:

      • Food safety practices
      • Importance of washing hands and surfaces
      • Ways to prevent bacteria from spreading
      • How to cook at a safe temperature

The second WIC online class, Follow the Rainbow with Fruits & Vegetables, covers the following topics:

      • Health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables
      • Daily fruit and vegetable recommendations
      • Tips for increasing fruits and vegetables

Texas WIC is a free nutritional education program that provides nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support and free food packages to qualifying mothers and their children up to age five. To apply for the program, apply online

Texas WIC is offering extended fruit and vegetable benefits through September. Individuals are receiving $35 in fruit and vegetable benefits instead of the normal $11 per person benefit. Learn more online at Texas WIC. 

Grocery Services North is a primarily WIC grocery store chain in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview that caters to WIC clients by providing an easy, hassle-free shopping experience for WIC clients. Find a location near you at GroceryServicesNorth.com/locations.