FacebookInstagramYouTubeEmail

Texas WIC

September 2021

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.

Read More
 0

July 2021

WIC, Pregnancy and FREE Nutrition Help

2022-08-26T00:05:03+00:00July 29th, 2021|Categories: Pregnancy, Texas WIC, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , |

Pregnancy, WIC Go Hand and Hand

Are you pregnant, and need a helping hand with your baby? Mothers can get nutrition help for free from Texas WIC program.

It’s a great resource for qualifying expecting moms and moms of children up to age 5. The program provides nutrition education and free monthly food packages for expecting mothers.

So what’s included in the WIC package? WIC provides pregnant mothers with access to healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, and protein. They also offer nutrition education to help you make healthy choices for yourself and your baby.

Once your baby arrives, they also provide breastfeeding support, nutrition counseling, and even free formula for your baby. The good news is you can apply for the FREE nutrition assistance before your baby arrives.

EXPECTING MOTHERS CAN APPLY FOR  NUTRITION HELP FROM TEXAS WIC

If you would like to apply to the program, visit TexasWIC.org/apply to find out if you qualify.

EASY WIC SHOPPING DURING PREGNANCY AND BEYOND

Let Grocery Services North show you how easy WIC grocery shopping can be. The primarily WIC grocery store chain helps WIC clients get all their WIC groceries in one easy, hassle-free stop. Locations in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview are located near WIC clinics for convenient access.  Find a location at groceryservicesnorth.com

WIC Nutrition Help

 

Read More
 0

May 2021

3 Reasons To Join Texas WIC

2022-08-25T22:12:02+00:00May 20th, 2021|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , |

WIC Program Helps Mothers Raise Healthy Babies

Texas WIC can be a mother’s best friend. Many moms and their children across Texas are benefiting from this nutritional supplement program aimed at getting babies off to a healthy start. It’s a FREE program for eligible mothers and their children up to age 5.

If you haven’t heard about this amazing program or aren’t sure of it’s benefits, we are giving you our top 3 reasons to Join Texas WIC:

WIC for Mothers

1. MOTHER’S HEALTH

There are few better ways to help a baby grow healthy than by helping an expecting mother with nutrition and health. A healthy mother can help create a healthy baby. That’s why the program is open to pregnant women.

The Texas WIC program helps mothers with nutrition counseling and guidance along the way. There are so many health considerations to make once you become pregnant: What should I eat? Should I exercise? How much? Am I getting the right nutrients? It can all be a lot to take in for any mother, but Texas WIC nutritionists can be there along the way to help you make healthy choices.

One of the best parts is that Texas WIC provides free, nutritious food package supplements each month to help you eat healthy in order to give the baby (and you) the nutrition you need during pregnancy.

Once the baby arrives, they are also there for support. WIC experts help with breastfeeding guidance and nutrition support for your child up to age 5. That means there is help for so many of the concerns you have as a new mother, like: “Am I feeding my baby the right way and enough” Texas WIC offers FREE counseling and guidance to so many of these health questions.

2. YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH WIC for babies

Texas WIC is an amazing gift for your child. The program ensures that your baby doesn’t go without healthy nutrition. Aside from breastfeeding support, Texas WIC even pays for baby formula (which can be very expensive). If your baby needs a special baby formula, it will pay for that too with a doctor’s prescription. As the child gets older, the free monthly food package changes with your child’s needs.

Keeping your child fed with the right nutrition isn’t the only support you will get. Texas WIC also offers free counseling and guidance to help make sure your baby is growing healthy. There are even free online nutrition classes.

WIC groceries3. JOIN TEXAS WIC FOR FREE NUTRITIONAL FOOD

There is no better benefit than free, nutritious food for you and your baby. Knowing your baby is getting the nutrition they need is enough to calm almost any anxious mother. The best part is that it’s free to qualifying mothers and their babies.

Each month Texas WIC will load benefits onto an ebt card. WIC clients can use this card to redeem their benefits for WIC foods at stores. The food benefits will change as your baby grows and has different needs. The food packages can cover everything from baby formula and baby food to milk, cheese, yogurt, beans, whole wheat bread, tortillas and pasta and fresh fruits and vegetables.

To make it even easier, Grocery Services North locations are open near Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview area WIC clinics to help WIC clients redeem their benefits in an easy shopping format. Grocery Services North stores are not affiliated with WIC – but are a Primarily WIC grocery store – which means they mostly carry only WIC-approved items. At Grocery Services North, WIC clients don’t have to go searching for WIC items in the store. Instead, they simply walk up to a counter where a staff member will walk them through the shopping process for getting their WIC groceries. It’s a super easy and convenient way to get your WIC groceries.

JOIN TEXAS WIC TODAY

Want to find out if you qualify for Texas WIC? The program is open to pregnant women, breastfeeding women, infants and families with children under age 5. There are also income requirements to qualify for the program. If you would like to join Texas WIC, you can start your application today by visiting: https://texaswic.org/apply

You may soon learn what so many families already know: Texas WIC can be a mother’s best friend.

Read More
 0

Texas WIC Increasing Fruit, Vegetable Benefits

2022-08-25T21:33:46+00:00May 12th, 2021|Categories: Grocery Services North, Texas WIC, WIC Food|Tags: , , , , , , , |

This summer, Texas WIC is increasing its fruit and vegetable benefits.  

WIC will be offering benefits for $35 for fruits and vegetables per person starting June 1st. 

WIC clients can use the benefits for fruits and vegetables that are fresh, frozen or in cans/jars or plastic containers, according to TexasWIC.org. 

According to TexasWIC.org: “You will see this increase on your shopping list under your benefit amount for June through September 2021. If you already have benefits for June or July, your WIC office will contact you for an appointment to update your benefits.”

Contact WIC or visit a WIC clinic if there are any questions about your fruit and vegetable allowance. The additional WIC benefits will be available starting in June through September and return to the regular benefit amount in October, according to TexasWIC.org. WIC normally offers $11 in fruit/vegetable benefits for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and $9 for children age 1 to 5. 

You can redeem your WIC benefits at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Grocery Services North provides WIC clients an easy shopping experience. WIC clients can find all their WIC items at one store. Plus, it’s easy to get in and out since the locations can be found close to WIC clinics. Learn more about shopping at Grocery Services North on our website.  To join Texas WIC, apply online at Texaswic.org/apply. 

Read More
 0

March 2021

March Is National Nutrition Month®

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

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…)

Read More
 0

February 2021

Grocery Services North Opening Friday Feb. 19th

2022-03-18T15:13:25+00:00February 18th, 2021|Categories: Dallas, Grocery Services North|Tags: , , , , |

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!
Read More
 0

WIC Babies Grow Healthy & Strong

2022-03-19T00:57:27+00:00February 11th, 2021|Categories: Baby Food, Baby Formula, Child Health, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , |

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.

Read More
 0

January 2021

Healthy Pregnancy, Food & WIC

2022-03-21T15:30:44+00:00January 26th, 2021|Categories: Meal Planning, Mom Health, Pregnancy|Tags: , , , , , |

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.

Read More
 0

Importance of Folic Acid During Pregnancy

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

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.

Read More
 0

SNAP Welcome at Grocery Services North

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

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

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