FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail

WIC Nutrition

March 2022

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.

 

Read More
 0

WIC Inspired Recipe – Yogurt Bark

2022-08-26T01:51:34+00:00March 3rd, 2022|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

It’s no secret that moms are always looking for easy, healthy snacks to pack in their kids’ lunches or to have on hand when the munchies strike. This WIC inspired recipe – yogurt bark treats – are a great option because they’re made with some of your favorite WIC-approved ingredients. And bonus: they’re delicious! So give them a try today. Your kids will love them!

 These can easily be made into popsicles too!

So what are you waiting for? Whip up a batch of these yogurt popsicles today and let us know what you think. As always, we love to hear from our customers, so be sure to tag us on social if you make these. And don’t forget to visit Grocery Services North for all your WIC grocery needs. We’ve got everything you need, from baby formula, fresh produce to dairy products and beyond.

Yogurt Bark

2 cups Plain Yogurt

¼ cup Maple Syrup

½ tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

¼ tsp Fresh Lemon Juice

Strawberries, sliced

Blueberries

Chopped Pecans (Optional)

Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set aside. In a large mixing bowl combine yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla extract, & lemon juice; whisk until thoroughly combined.

Transfer yogurt mixture to a previously prepared baking sheet and spread it around to an even thickness. Top with berries. Garnish with nuts (optional). Freeze for 3 hours or until firm. Cut into pieces and serve. Keep in the freezer.

WIC INSPIRED RECIPE 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

 

 

Read More
 0

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. 

Read More
 0

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.

Read More
 0

WIC Inspired Recipes – Turkish Eggs

2022-08-26T01:56:17+00:00February 22nd, 2022|Categories: Kid Activities, Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Looking for something different for breakfast?  Try Turkish eggs. This recipe features multiple WIC ingredients, including eggs.

Turkish Eggs, or Cilbir, is a traditional Turkish dish with simple ingredients like yogurt, garlic, red pepper flakes, poached eggs, & butter. There are records of çılbır being eaten by Ottoman sultans as far back as the 15th century, and it’s often known as Turkish comfort food. 

Today, Turkish eggs can make a great breakfast or snack using WIC ingredients, including eggs, yogurt and whole wheat bread.

Turkish Eggs (Cilbir)

3 Eggs

1 Clove of Garlic

½ Cup of Thick Plain Yogurt

2 tbsp Butter

2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

3 Slices of Whole Wheat Bread

1 tbsp White Vinegar

Salt, Pepper, & Dill to taste

Spoon yogurt onto a plate & use the back of the spoon to spread it out. Melt butter in a saucepan on medium heat, add minced garlic & red pepper flakes. Stir until color is uniform & remove from heat.

Fill a large saucepan with 2 – 3 inches of water & bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, pour in vinegar, and keep at a simmer. Crack an egg into a small bowl or ramekin and gently slip the egg into the simmering water. Repeat with remaining eggs. Cook the eggs for 3 minutes until the egg whites are firm & the yolk has thickened but not hard. Remove eggs with a slotted spoon & add to plate with yogurt. 

Spoon the butter, garlic & chili pepper mixture on top of the poached eggs & sprinkle with black pepper, a pinch of salt, & dill to taste. Toast the bread until lightly browned. Dip into the Turkish eggs & enjoy! Makes 2 Servings.

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

 

 

Read More
 0

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.
Read More
 0

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.

 

 

Read More
 0

January 2022

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

Read More
 0

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/

(more…)

Read More
 0

WIC Benefit Expansion Extended Thru March

2022-08-26T01:01:59+00:00December 16th, 2021|Categories: Texas WIC, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , |

More WIC Fruit, Vegetables Added Until New Year

Women, Infant and Children (WIC) clients are getting a little something extra for the new year: an extension on the expanded produce (fruits, vegetables) benefits.

Texas WIC announced on its website that the expanded fruit and vegetable benefits will be offered through the end of March 2022.

WIC BENEFIT

“This extension has different dollar amounts based on your category. Eligible clients will receive the following,” according to Texas WIC. 

Here is an example the agency provided: 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 January, February and March to buy WIC produce, according to Texas WIC.

WIC clients will find this new amount on your shopping list under their WIC redeemable amount. 

Texas WIC urges clients that have already received benefits on their WIC cards for the first three months of the year to contact their local WIC office to get the expanded benefits for produce (fruits and vegetable) benefits. Produce benefits are expected to return to regular levels at the end of March. 

WIC Clients can pick up their WIC benefits at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Longview, and Tyler. The stores cater to WIC clients and offer easy WIC shopping. Bilingual clerks help clients personally shop for their groceries, and clients can check their WIC allowance before shopping. Find out how easy WIC shopping can be. Visit a Grocery Services North location today. Get more WIC news on the Grocery Services North blog.

Read More
 0
© Copyright | Grocery Services North | All Rights Reserved
Toggle Sliding Bar Area