WIC Fruits and vegetables

November 2023

Texas WIC Fruit, Vegetable Benefit Increase Extended

2023-11-14T14:13:39+00:00November 13th, 2023|Categories: Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , , |

Texas WIC has announced that the WIC fruit and vegetable dollar amount increase is now extended through September. 

This extension, which is now being offered through Sept. 30, 2024,  has different dollar amounts based on your category. Eligible clients will receive the following:

  • Children get $26 each month 
  • Pregnant, postpartum and some breastfeeding clients get $47 each month 
  • Fully and partially breastfeeding clients get $52 each month  

If your benefits for November and December are for the lower dollar amount, WIC advises: “Use the myWIC app or contact your WIC office to schedule an appointment to update your card. In myWIC, choose the appointment called “Load WIC Card” to schedule a time to update your card with the higher dollar amount, according to its website.

You can also check your WIC benefits by requesting a balance receipt from the cashier at Grocery Services North. 

WIC benefits are expected to return to their normal levels Oct. 2024, which are $12 for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and $10 for children ages 1 to 5. 

March 2023

WIC-Inspired Recipes For Family Dinner

2023-03-21T13:53:21+00:00March 17th, 2023|Categories: Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Shepherd’s Pie Is Budget-Friendly, Nutritious Family Favorite

This shepherd’s pie is so tasty, you’ll forget that it’s meatless! This recipe is sure to be a new comfort food staple, and a great way to get your veggies in and use up any leftover mashed potatoes, or potatoes you may have lying around the kitchen.

VEGETABLE SHEPHERD’S PIE

1 tablespoon olive oil

½ cup diced onion

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 ½ cups diced mushrooms

1 stalk thinly sliced celery

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons tomato paste

½ cup chicken broth

2 cans mixed vegetables, drained

3 cups of mashed potatoes

½ cup shredded cheese

Seasonings: Paprika, Thyme, Black Pepper

Bring olive oil to medium high heat in a skillet then add onion and garlic, cook for about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and celery, then worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, chicken broth, and spices. Stir and cook for about 10 minutes. Add canned vegetables, stir gently and bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Transfer to an 8 x 8 baking dish and spread evenly in the pan, flattening as you go. Add mashed potatoes on top & spread evenly.  Top with your choice of cheese and herbs if you like!

Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, or until light golden brown. 

Allow to cool, and serve. Makes 4 – 6 servings.

 

 

February 2023

Toddler Snack Boxes

2023-02-09T18:32:30+00:00February 8th, 2023|Categories: Child Health, Meal Planning, Recipes, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

WIC Food Tip Perfect For Busy Moms

Toddlers love snacks! Moms of little ones may find themselves running around trying to find snacks on demand. Here is a great tip to use your WIC foods to make a perfect snack box for your little one.

One stress-free way to help busy moms looking to save some time, are pre-made snack boxes. Dig around in your cupboard for some plastic containers with lids. It doesn’t have to be fancy. One with compartments is perfect, but a food storage container without dividers also works. (TIP: You can use cupcake liners to make your own compartments) 

Grab a few of your toddler’s favorite WIC foods. Create a fun assortment of 3 to 4 single serving snacks in each container to make a perfect toddler-size snack pack to store in the fridge. Some ideas for your containers include:  cheese cubes, sliced strawberries, orange slices, blueberries, avocados, healthy WIC cereal (without the milk),  yogurt, peanut butter and whole wheat bread.  Make a whole peanut butter sandwich and cut into 1/4ths. Put one fourth in a container. 

Store the snack packs in the fridge until needed.  Making 2 or 4 containers at a time is perfect to have on hand when your little one wants something quick to eat.

This is a great way to help make sure your little one is eating healthy WIC foods. You can also get your kids involved in making their “snack packs” so they are excited to eat healthy foods. 

HAVE TODDLERS ON WIC? SHARE YOUR MOM HACKS

Do you have a great mom hack? Leave it in the comments below. We would love to hear some of your favorite tips/tricks that save you time. 

The ultimate mom hack is getting all your WIC foods in one easy stop at Grocery Services North stores. Visit a location today to see how easy it can be.

Looking for more helpful ideas?  Check out our post about WIC Snacks.

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.

October 2022

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.

July 2022

Get Your Peaches!

2022-08-26T21:02:45+00:00July 18th, 2022|Categories: Grocery Services North, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , , , |

And Other WIC-Approved Foods At Grocery Services North

Justin Bieber should get his peaches at Grocery Services North. 

In his famous song, Peaches, he declares he gets his peaches from Georgia. He should try picking them up at Grocery Services North, where he can get them fresh, frozen and in fruit cups. 

Grocery Services North is a grocery store chain that caters to WIC clients by offering only WIC-approved items. The stores make it super easy to shop for WIC groceries. Customers can check their WIC balance before they shop, and bilingual clerks will walk them through the shopping experience to make sure they get all their WIC foods in one easy stop. 

Texas WIC now offers even more WIC-approved foods, and Grocery Services North is making sure we provide even more options to our customers. 

For example, Texas WIC is currently offering expanded fruit and vegetable benefits which gives families even more benefits to use at the store through September. You can learn more here about these extra benefits.  

Also, Texas WIC is allowing even more food options for these benefits. The benefits can be used on fresh, frozen, cans, glass jars and plastic containers, according to WIC.

So now at Grocery Services North stores you can pick up your peaches fresh, jarred, frozen or in individual serving cups perfect for little hands. 

These expanded WIC-approved food options are making the Texas WIC program an even better option for families that need a helping hand. The program is open to qualifying mothers who are expecting or for children up to age 5.  Learn more here about qualifications. You can apply for Texas WIC online if you aren’t already part of the program at texaswic.org/apply. 

Grocery Services North has locations throughout Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview. Find a Grocery Services North location near at a WIC clinic near you at groceryservicesnorth.com/locations.

WIC Approved Fruits and Vegetables

2022-07-21T14:47:09+00:00July 11th, 2022|Categories: Dallas, Grocery Services North, Meal Planning, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , , |

Expanded WIC Approved Fruits and Vegetables Benefit Extended Thru September

Texas WIC has extended it’s expanded fruit and vegetable benefits thru the end of September. Now clients can get even more WIC approved fruits and vegetables.

According to WIC, the new WIC approved fruits and vegetables benefit is currently:

  • Children get $24 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 April, May and June to buy fruit and vegetables, according to WIC.

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

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

WIC clients can get all their WIC groceries in one easy stop at any Grocery Services North location in Dallas and Waco. Grocery Services North caters to WIC clients and locations are located conveniently to WIC offices to help customers get WIC in one trip. 

March 2022

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.

 

 

 

 

Government Food Program Serves Up Produce

2022-08-26T02:24:22+00:00March 15th, 2022|Categories: Child Health, Grocery Services North, Mom Health, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , , |

Expanded WIC Fruit, Vegetable Benefits Extended Thru September 

Congress has approved another extension of WIC’s expanded fruit and vegetable benefits thru September 2022.

WIC is a government food program that provides nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support and monthly food packages of healthy foods for pregnant women, babies and children up to age 5.

With the rising cost of food and the ongoing burden of healthcare costs, we must double down on effective measures like the WIC benefit bump that help children build nutritious diets and get a healthy start,” according to a statement from the National WIC Association.

WIC’s extended fruit and vegetable benefits now provide:

  • Children $24/month
  • Pregnant and postpartum participants receive $43/month
  • Breastfeeding participants receive $47/month

Texas WIC offers the following example about how a family may see additional benefits on their WIC EBT cards: 

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 to buy fruit and vegetables thru September. 

WIC clients will see this new amount on your shopping list under your benefit amount. 

WIC shoppers can use the expanded fruit and vegetable benefit to buy produce fresh, frozen, cans, glass jars, and plastic containers. For more information about WIC food benefits, visit TexasWIC.org.

GOVERNMENT FOOD PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPORT

Since April 2021, more than 4.75 million women and children participating in WIC have received enhanced fruit and vegetable benefits in accordance with science-based recommendations. The WIC benefit bump has resulted in more than triple the amount of fruit and vegetable purchases, a greater variety of produce redeemed by WIC families, and increased fruit and vegetable consumption for young children, according to a statement released by the National WIC Association.

WIC GROCERY SHOPPING

Visit Grocery Services North in Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Longview to redeem your WIC benefits in one easy stop. Grocery Services North is a PWIC grocery store chain that specializes in catering to WIC clients. Shoppers can check their EBT balance BEFORE shopping and bilingual clerks assist shoppers throughout the shopping experience. Plus, everything in the store is WIC approved. SNAP is also accepted. Find a location here.

 

December 2021

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.