Texas WIC

February 2023

A-B-Cs For First-Time Moms

2023-02-17T13:42:49+00:00February 17th, 2023|Categories: Child Health, Meal Planning, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Texas WIC, Uncategorized, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , |

Being a parent for the first time is both an incredibly exciting and nerve-wracking experience. New moms want to do everything they can to make sure your little bundle of joy stays healthy, happy, and safe. Here are a few A-B-Cs for first-time moms. Read on to learn just a few ABCs necessary for anyone getting ready to be a mommy for the first time!

Acknowledge that you’re scared, but be excited at the same time!

It’s normal to be nervous. Give yourself credit for taking this big step into motherhood. Plus, it never hurts to seek out expert advice from professionals like those at Texas WIC who specialize in infant nutrition and growth monitoring – they’ll help make sure you’re well informed while navigating through these exciting times!

Believe in yourself – you can do this!  Sometimes every new mom just has to know she can do it.  When in doubt, reach out to your doctor or Texas WIC for help. Texas WIC is a great resource for moms. It is a nutrition education program that assists moms until their child turns 5 years old.  If you would like to see if you qualify for Texas WIC, you can apply at TexasWIC.org/apply.

Connect with other moms, either virtually or in person. Every mom needs a support system. This is one great way to get a little extra helpful advice. Social media is also a great place to connect with other moms. Plus, you might make a few new friends at Texas WIC. 

FEW MORE ‘C’s FOR FIRST-TIME MOMS

  • Create a routine and stick to it as much as possible. Looking for more information about creating routines, check out these tips for newborn babies.
  • Cherish every moment – even the tough ones!

EASY WIC GROCERY SHOPPING

To make being a mom even easier, visit a Grocery Services North store for easy WIC grocery shopping. You can get all your WIC foods in one easy stop. Find a store near you here.

 

Love Texas WIC Program All Year Long

2023-02-07T14:04:45+00:00February 6th, 2023|Categories: Baby Food, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , |

There are so many things to love about Texas WIC. 

For starters, it’s a great place for parents to turn for help. The pros at Texas WIC can also show parents the ropes for self love during pregnancy and after. Plus, nutrition tips and free healthy food packages help moms and babies eat healthy.

PRO PARENTING TIPS

Texas WIC is the perfect place to turn for your parenting questions. Whether you are pregnant and wondering what is safe for expecting moms to eat or you want help feeding your infant, Texas WIC has the answers. Plus, the program is free for qualifying Texas mothers. 

As your baby grows, Texas WIC offers tips and guidance about developmental milestones and how to care, feed your baby so they grow up healthy. 

SELF LOVE DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY

Texas WIC also helps mothers stay healthy. A healthy mother helps create healthy babies. Texas WIC pros offer tips on how to eat, exercise and take care of you and your baby while you are pregnant and while breastfeeding. 

HEALTHY NUTRITION

Some might say the best part of Texas WIC is the free healthy food packages for WIC clients. The packages start when moms learn they are expecting. They are also adapted for children until they turn 5 years old.  So mom and babies can get free, nutritious foods like milk, bread, healthy cereal, baby formula, fruits and vegetables and so much more. The Texas WIC program is for qualifying Texas mothers and children up to age 5. To apply for Texas WIC, visit them online at Texaswic.org.

GROCERY SERVICES NORTH

Grocery Services North stores help WIC clients get all their WIC foods in one easy stop. Bilingual clerks help customers shop for their foods. Find out how easy WIC shopping can be, and visit a store today. Grocery Services North is a service provider for the WIC program, not a part of the WIC program.

January 2023

Ways Texas WIC Helps Moms, Babies

2023-01-24T14:30:25+00:00January 23rd, 2023|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Child Health, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , |

Mothers only want the best for their babies, and that usually starts with the news you are expecting. Luckily for qualifying Texas residents there is a program that helps mothers make sure their nutritional needs are being met to help ensure the best healthy start for their babies. Texas WIC offers nutrition education, free supplemental foods and support for moms and babies.

Here are some of the best ways Texas WIC offers help to expecting moms and moms with children up to age 5.

  1. WIC provides supplemental foods to qualifying pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women.
  2. WIC helps to improve the health of pregnant women and their babies. That includes providing baby formula to babies in need.
  3. WIC provides nutrition education and counseling to help participants make healthy food choices. 
  4. WIC helps participants access other social services. 
  5. WIC has been shown to reduce the incidence of low birth weight babies, according to studies on USDA’s website.

If you want to learn more about Texas WIC, visit their website at texaswic.org. You can also apply on online at texaswic.org/apply.

For easy WIC grocery shopping, visit Grocery Services North stores in Dallas, Garland, Grand Prairie, Plano, Waco, Tyler and Longview. Bilingual clerks help WIC clients get all their WIC foods in one easy stop. Visit today to find out how easy WIC shopping can be. Find a store near you at groceryservicesnorth.com/locations

WIC Produce Benefits Update

2023-01-16T13:27:28+00:00January 11th, 2023|Categories: Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , |

Expanded Dollar Amount For Fruit, Vegetable Benefits Offered Until Sept. 2023

Good news! Texas WIC’s temporary fruit and vegetable dollar amount increase is now being offered through September 30, 2023!  The increased dollar amount for WIC produce benefits (fruits and vegetables) are for the following amounts:

  • Children get $25 each month 
  • Pregnant, postpartum and some breastfeeding clients get $44 each month 
  • Fully and partially breastfeeding clients get $49 each month 

Texas WIC professionals provided the following example: if you are pregnant and have two children (ages 1-5) receiving WIC, you will get $94 ($44 mom + $25 child + $25 child = $94) to buy fruit and vegetables. 

You will see this new amount on your shopping list under your benefit amount, according to Texas WIC.

The fruit and vegetable benefits are expected to return to the normal amounts on Oct. 1, 2023.  WIC clients can use their benefits to buy fruits and vegetables that are fresh, frozen and in cans, glass jars and plastic containers.

USE WIC PRODUCE BENEFITS FOR THESE RECIPES

Pick up all your WIC foods at any Grocery Services North store. There are 11 locations in Dallas, Grand Prairie, Garland, Plano, Tyler and Longview. to help you get your WIC foods in one easy, fast top. Visit today to find out how easy WIC shopping can be. Here are a few recipes using WIC-approved fruits, vegetables you might like:

Two Recipes Featuring WIC Foods

Ratatouille Recipe

For even more recipes, visit our blog.

October 2022

Budget Bites to Help You Save Money On Food

2023-01-11T18:12:04+00:00October 21st, 2022|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , |

4 Tips To Help You Save Money

Grocery prices keep going up, and we are all looking for ways to stretch our food budgets. Here are a few tips we can all use to curb the waste, and stretch our food dollars even further.

USE MORE, WASTE LESS

If you don’t think you will use them before they go bad, freeze fruits and vegetables. Put them in freezer-safe containers or bags and mark with a date. These frozen portions are great to add to soups or smoothies.

Save veggie scraps like potato rinds, ends of onions and celery pieces, to make veggie broth. These vegetables will make a perfect vegetable broth that is delicious in soups.

Use leftovers creatively. You can turn almost any leftovers into a completely different meal. For example, did you make roasted veggies as a side dish this week? Use the leftovers in a delicious omelet. You cook once and have two delicious meals. Plus, you save time in the kitchen.

MAXIMIZE WIC BENEFITS

One of the best ways to maximize your WIC benefits is to use your SNAP benefits first. Your SNAP benefits roll over, but your WIC benefits expire at the end of the month. USE WIC FIRST.

Make fewer trips. If you are making a trip to the WIC clinic, redeem your WIC benefits during the same trip. Grocery Services North, which caters to WIC clients, are conveniently located near WIC clinics. Grocery Services North caters to WIC clients and helps them redeem their benefits in one easy, fast trip.

PLAN AHEAD

By planning ahead you can save time and money. Plan your menu for the week. See what ingredients can be used to do double duty in your recipes. For example, are you making a homemade soup and stir-fry dish this week? Get an onion that can be used for both. What other ingredients can be used in both meals? Stretch your food dollars by using simple recipes with less ingredients. Plus, it is a great way for your kids to help. Make a menu together on a chalkboard or a colorful paper. Your kids will love the family activity.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

One of the best ways to save money cooking is to make simple, nutritious recipes that don’t have a ton of ingredients. Buy pantry staples like seasonings on sale or in bulk. Make your own salad dressing using olive oil and simple seasonings.

Get all your WIC foods at Grocery Services North in Dallas, Plano, Waco, Tyler and Longview. Grocery Services North caters to WIC clients, and are ready to help you get all your WIC foods in one easy stop. Find a location near you.

Texas WIC’s New Contract Formulas

2022-12-06T14:23:32+00:00October 6th, 2022|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , |

On Oct. 1, 2022, Texas WIC’s new formula contract went into effect. The listed Similac products
become the corresponding Enfamil product.

This Similac Product…. ….Becomes This Enfamil Product
Similac Advance 12.4oz PWD 

Enfamil Infant 12.5 oz PWD

Similac Advance 20.6oz PWD

 

Enfamil Infant 12.5 oz PWD

 

Similac Advance 30.8 oz PWD

 

Enfamil Infant 12.5 oz PWD

 

Similac Pro Advance 20.6oz PWD

Enfamil Infant 12.5 oz PWD

Similac Pro Advance 30.8oz PWD

Enfamil Infant 12.5 oz PWD

Similac Advance 13oz CON

Enfamil Infant 13oz CON

Similac Advance 32oz RTU

Enfamil Infant 32oz RTU

Similac Sensitive 12.5oz PWD

 

Enfamil Gentlease 12.4oz PWD

Similac Sensitive 20.1 PWD 

Enfamil Gentlease 12.4oz PWD

Similac Sensitive 29.8 oz PWD

Enfamil Gentlease 12.4oz PWD

Similac Pro Sensitive 20.1 oz PWD

Enfamil Gentlease 12.4oz PWD

Similac Pro Sensitive 29.8oz PWD

Enfamil Gentlease 12.4oz PWD

Similac Sensitive 32oz RTU

Enfamil Gentlease Neuropro 32oz RTU

Similac For Spit Up 12.5oz PWD

Enfamil A.R. 12.9 OZ PWD

Similac For Spit Up 19.5oz PWD

Enfamil A.R. 12.9 OZ PWD

Similac Total Comfort 12.6oz PWD

Enfamil Gentlease 12.4oz PWD

Similac PRO Total Comfort 20.1oz PWD

Enfamil Gentlease 12.4oz PWD

Similac PRO Total Comfort 29.8 PWD

Enfamil Gentlease 12.4oz PWD

 

Texas WIC’s Expanded Fruit & Vegetable Benefits Extended Thru Dec. 16

2022-10-05T19:51:45+00:00October 3rd, 2022|Categories: Grocery Services North, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , |

The WIC Fruit, Vegetable Bump Extended Thru Dec. 16

Texas WIC’s extended fruit and vegetable benefits are now extended thru December! Congress approved the expanded benefits last week, which were set to expire at the end of September. 

 The new benefits are now available thru Dec. 16. 

According to Texas WIC, “Participants who receive the increased benefits in December are able to redeem them throughout the entire month.”

According to Texas WIC, the new Cash Value Benefits (CVB) amounts for fruits and vegetables are:

  • $25 monthly for children
  • $44 monthly for pregnant and postpartum participants
  • $49 monthly for fully and partially breastfeeding participants
  • $73.50 for mothers breastfeeding multiple children

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

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

WIC clients can get all their WIC groceries in one easy stop at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Plano, Waco, Tyler and Longview. There are 11 stores conveniently located near WIC clinics. Find a location online.

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

August 2022

WIC Breakfast Foods

2022-12-05T14:49:44+00:00August 17th, 2022|Categories: Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , , , |

Breakfast Recipes With WIC Foods Good Enough To Eat All Day

Some might say breakfast is the best meal of the day. 

Texas WIC offers many healthy breakfast foods for pregnant women and children to help get the day off to a great start. But it is also a great way to end a day. Here are some examples of healthy WIC foods that make the best breakfast ingredients, no matter when you eat them.

Eggs , Whole Wheat Bread, Whole Wheat Tortillas, Fruit, Vegetables, Cereal, Oatmeal, Milk, Fruit Juice, Cheese, Yogurt are all part of the Texas WIC program.

These foods are healthy and great served individually. Combine to make some of the best breakfast foods: omelets, tacos, breakfast sandwiches, smoothies and more. But changing it up is always fun. Here are a few WIC breakfast foods with a twist your family will love

BREAKFAST QUESADILLA

2 Whole Wheat Tortilla

2 large eggs

¼ cup shredded cheese

1 teaspoon butter

Cooking spray

Salsa

Sliced Avocado

Crack eggs in a bowl and whisk. Spray skillet with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Put eggs in a pan and cook for about 5 minutes. Put eggs on a plate. Wipe pan clean. Lightly butter one side of the tortilla. Place butter side down in the pan. Put ½ of the scrambled eggs on top of the tortilla and add half of the cheese and fold the tortilla in half.  Cook on each side until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese has melted, about 3 minutes. Repeat to make a second tortilla. Serve with salsa and sliced avocado.

PEANUT BUTTER, BANANA OVERNIGHT OATS

½ cup old fashioned rolled oats

½ cup milk

1/4 cup plain yogurt 

1 teaspoons maple syrup or honey

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional

pinch of salt

1 tablespoon peanut butter

Sliced bananas

Add oats, milk, yogurt, maple syrup and salt and ½ tablespoon of the peanut butter into a container with an air-tight lid. Stir. Place in the fridge overnight. The next morning, remove the lid. Stir oats and add a splash of milk. Top with remaining peanut butter and slice bananas. Overnight oats can remain in the fridge for up to 5 days in a sealed container. 

For all your WIC groceries, visit any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Grocery Services North caters to WIC clients by providing an easy shopping experience and format to get all your WIC foods in one easy stop. SNAP also accepted. Find a location near a WIC clinic near you, groceryservicesnorth.com/locations.