WIC Food

April 2023

WIC Inspired Recipes – Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

2023-08-11T01:14:24+00:00April 7th, 2023|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS

2 tbsp olive oil

1 cup onion, diced

2 tbsp garlic, minced

1 cup mushrooms, finely chopped

½ cup carrot, finely diced

1 green onion stalk, sliced

1 cup brown rice

1 head of cabbage

2 cups Tomato sauce

Seasonings: Salt, Pepper, Basil, Thyme, & Paprika

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare ingredients by chopping vegetables and cooking brown rice according to the package instructions.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the onions until golden, about 10 min. Add garlic, mushrooms, carrot, green onion, and seasonings. Cook until the veggies are tender, about 8 – 10 minutes. Stir in the brown rice and 1/2 cup of tomato sauce, then remove from heat. Coat the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish with a thin layer of tomato sauce. 

Core a head of cabbage and bring to a boil in a large pot, until the cabbage leaves start to come apart. Fill each cabbage leaf with 2 – 4 tablespoons of the rice and vegetable mixture (depending on the size of the cabbage leaves), then roll the leaf up like a burrito, tucking in each end. Continue filling the leaves until there is no more mixture left, line the filled and rolled cabbage leaves in the baking tray.

 Cover with the remaining tomato sauce and cook for 45 minutes. Makes about 5 servings.

February 2023

WIC Inspired Recipes – Broccoli Tater Tots

2023-08-11T01:15:12+00:00February 20th, 2023|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Broccoli Tater Tots

3 large russet potatoes

2 (12 – 14 ounce) bags frozen broccoli florets that have been thawed, or 8 cups steamed broccoli florets

2 cups shredded parmesan cheese (or mozzarella)

2 teaspoons salt, plus more for sprinkling on top

Olive oil

Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and cook for 25 minutes, until fork tender but still have some give in the middle. Drain water and let potatoes cool until they are comfortable to handle. Once potatoes are warm enough to handle, remove the skins.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grate potatoes on the large side of a grater and place into a large bowl.

Place the broccoli into a food processor and blend until it’s in very small pieces, 30 seconds – one minute. You may need to do it in two batches. Place broccoli onto paper towels and squeeze all excess water out.

Add the broccoli to the grated potatoes along with the salt and mix everything together well.

Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Use your hands to form small cylinders with the mixture. Use about 1 tablespoon per tater tot. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for about 10 minutes to allow them to firm up.

Brush the top of each tater tot with a small amount of olive oil and sprinkle each one with salt. Bake tater tots until browned crispy, about 30 minutes, flipping halfway though.

This recipe works great in an air fryer too!

Enjoy!

January 2023

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.

April 2022

WIC Food

2022-04-16T15:17:16+00:00April 5th, 2022|Categories: Grocery Services North, Meal Planning, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , , , , |

Two New Products Hit Shelves

Grocery Services North is offering two new WIC-approved products: mild jarred salsa and canned tomato sauce. 

These delicious and healthy additions are perfect for busy families on the go. The salsa is perfect for dipping or adding a little spice to your favorite dishes, while the tomato sauce is a kitchen staple.

WIC Food: SalsaAdd salsa to your favorite WIC food: everything from your scrambled eggs, guacamole or as a healthy dip for your fresh veggies. Plus, they are perfect with beans or rice!

Canned tomato sauce is healthy, low in calories, and can be used in a variety of different dishes made with WIC food from pasta, rice to tacos.WIC food: Tomato Sauce

Both items are made by Always Save®. Also, both items are redeemable as a WIC food as a vegetable. Learn more about WIC’s expanded fruit and vegetable benefits here.

“We are committed to providing WIC participants with healthy, affordable food choices,” said Cristina Torres, Grocery Services North store manager. “These new products are perfect for busy families who want convenience and delicious flavor. Stop by your local store today to redeem them with your WIC benefits.”

So if you’re looking to spice up your WIC food options, be sure to check out jarred salsa and canned tomato sauce. They’ll make your mealtime that much easier and more delicious. 

Grocery Services North is a chain of stores that cater to WIC clients. The stores help WIC clients redeem all their WIC benefits in one easy stop. Bilingual clerks assist shoppers throughout their visit, and you can even check your WIC balance before shopping. Visit today to find out how easy WIC grocery shopping can be.

SNAP is also accepted.

 

March 2022

Redeem Your Benefits For WIC Beans

2022-08-26T02:11:03+00:00March 21st, 2022|Categories: Child Health, Grocery Services North, Mom Health, Pregnancy, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , |

Grocery Services North Offering Goya Beans While Supplies Last

For a limited time, Grocery Services North will be offering Goya Beans. Customers can redeem their WIC benefits for canned Goya black and pinto beans while supplies last.

Black and pinto beans can be part of a nutritious meal for the entire family.  They are also a WIC-approved food. Canned beans can be enjoyed plain or used as filling for tacos or quesadillas or even be used to make soup or chili. 

Find even more ways to prepare your Goya beans by visiting the brand’s website for recipes.

“We hope our customers enjoy this special product while supplies last,” said Cristina Torres, Grocery Services North store manager. “Ask for Goya when you visit.” 

GROCERY SERVICES NORTH MAKES WIC EASY

Grocery Services North is a primarily WIC grocery store chain with locations in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview.

“We help make WIC grocery shopping easy,” Ms. Torres said. “Customers can get in and out fast and are helped through the entire shopping experience by bilingual clerks who are familiar with the Texas WIC program.”

Pick up all your WIC beans and all your WIC groceries in one easy stop. Everything at Grocery Services North is WIC approved. Learn more about WIC food packages on our blog.   

GSN shoppers can also check their WIC EBT benefits before shopping so WIC clients can see what benefits are available. All stores also accept SNAP. Find a location near you.

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

Also get more recipes using WIC recipes on our blog.

 

Make Recipes Using WIC Allowed Foods

2022-08-26T02:15:44+00:00March 17th, 2022|Categories: Baby Food, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , |

Eat A Spoonful Of Luck This St. Patrick’s Day

Are you having a hard time getting your kids to eat the healthy green vegetables on their plate? 

This St. Patrick’s Day tell them eating their green vegetables means “good luck.” Only parents have to know that “good luck” comes in the form of “good health.”

Texas WIC is a program that is designed to help parents and children get a healthy start by providing nutrition counseling, support and healthy foods. WIC allowed foods are added to a monthly WIC EBT card to help women and children up to age 5 eat healthier.

WIC allowed foods can include any of the following depending on your qualifying food category determined by if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, an infant or child up to age 5.  WIC allowed Foods can include everything from milk, whole wheat bread, whole-grain cereal, peanut butter, beans fruits, vegetables and baby food and infant formula and more!

This St. Patrick’s Day cook your family a menu filled with luck (or healthy WIC approved foods.) We have rounded up a few healthy recipes for you to cook up featuring a bite or two of green for your family.

RECIPES USING WIC ALLOWED FOODS

zucchini

Baked Zucchini

2 Zucchini, sliced 1/4″ thick rounds

1 tbsp Olive Oil

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

3 tbsp grated cheese of choice

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut zucchini into slices. Combine all ingredients (except zucchini and cheese) in a medium bowl. Mix spices and oil together. Add zucchini and toss. Place zucchini on a single layer on a cooking sheet. Cook in oven for about 10 minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake for about 5 more minutes.

 

 

WIC allowed foods

You can’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day without cabbage. This recipe from the USDA’s MyPlate is the perfect cabbage recipe:

Cabbage Comfort

1 onion (sliced)

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

4 1/2 cups cabbage (sliced)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon caraway seeds

Heat oil in a large saute pan. Saute onion over medium heat, until light brown, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add sliced cabbage, salt, black pepper, and caraway seeds. Stir and cook for 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

For more St. Patrick’s Day recipes using WIC foods from the USDA. Check out this menu.

Get all your WIC foods at Grocery Services North in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. The grocery store caters to WIC clients and makes WIC grocery shopping easy. Check your WIC EBT before you shop. Plus, bilingual clerks will help you through your entire visit. Find a location near you. 

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

Find more recipes using WIC foods on our blog.

 

 

 

 

May 2021

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. 

March 2021

I’m Dying! A Guide To Coloring Eggs

2022-08-25T21:01:40+00:00March 29th, 2021|Categories: Kid Activities, Recipes, WIC Food|Tags: , , , , , , |

Coloring Eggs Is Fun.

Bonus: They Are A Healthy WIC Food

Dying eggs is the perfect kid-friendly activity. It’s also a great way to get creative and take a break from adulting. It’s a complete bonus that once you are done you have a super nutritious meal or snack ready to eat. Another Bonus: Eggs are also a WIC food. If you haven’t dyed eggs before (or even if you have and need a refresher), we have created a step-by-step guide with lots of pointers to help you make your eggs all your own. There are even a few tips to help make your colored egg one of the most creative around. At the end of all the fun, there will be lots of yummy recipes to try featuring boiled eggs as the main ingredient. So let’s roll up our sleeves and have some fun. Then, let’s eat!

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