What is WIC?
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support healthy pregnancies, birth outcomes, growth, and development.
Who is WIC for?
WIC is for families and caretakers of babies and kids younger than age five, and pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum adults who have a low income (up to 185% of the federal poverty level) and are nutritionally vulnerable. Parents, grandparents, foster families, working families, and military families with children under the age of five are encouraged to apply.
WIC is not considered a part of public charge. Participating in the WIC program does not affect the immigration status of anyone currently in the U.S.
What does WIC provide?
WIC’s nutrition plan provides healthy foods at no-cost to those who need them the most. With the help of WIC, mothers, infants, and children receive nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes as well as other supportive resources.
WIC families also receive:
- Healthy eating education
- Breastfeeding support
- Referrals for community resources
Supporting Statistics
- 49% of infants born in the US participate in WIC
- 57% of eligible individuals in the US participate in WIC
- 7,800,000+ WIC participants in the country, and more than half are children
- Breastfeeding initiation rates increased by 7% from 2010 to 2018
- Childhood obesity rates among toddlers decreased by 2% between 2010 and 2018
- Generated $2.9 billion to spend at food retailers and received $1.7 billion million for formula rebates during the Fiscal Year 2020
Sources: WIC eligible individuals participating from USDA WIC Eligibility Estimates report for 2018 (fns.usda.gov/wic/national-and-state-levelestimates-wic-eligibility-and-wic-program-reach-2018-updated). WIC participants and characteristics from USDA WIC Participant and Program
Characteristics report for 2018, the most recent year of data available (fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-participant-and-program-characteristics-2018).
WIC breastfeeding and obesity rates from USDA WIC Participant and Program Characteristics reports for years displayed. WIC costs from USDA FNS WIC Program Data for FY 2020 (fns.usda.gov/pd/wic-program) as of January 19, 2022.
- 54% of infants born in CA participate in WIC
- 67% of eligible individuals in the US participate in WIC
- 1,100,000+ WIC participants in CA and more than half are children
- Breastfeeding initiation rates increased by 1% from 2010 to 2018
- Childhood obesity rates among toddlers decreased by 3% between 2010 and 2018
- Generated $465 million to spend at food retailers and received $207.9 million for formula rebates during the Fiscal Year 2020
Sources: WIC eligible individuals participating from USDA WIC Eligibility Estimates report for 2018 (fns.usda.gov/wic/national-and-state-levelestimates-wic-eligibility-and-wic-program-reach-2018-updated). WIC participants and characteristics from USDA WIC Participant and Program
Characteristics report for 2018, the most recent year of data available (fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-participant-and-program-characteristics-2018).
WIC breastfeeding and obesity rates from USDA WIC Participant and Program Characteristics reports for years displayed. WIC costs from USDA FNS WIC Program Data for FY 2020 (fns.usda.gov/pd/wic-program) as of January 19, 2022.
About PHFE WIC
PHFE WIC, a program of Heluna Health, is the largest WIC agency in the country. The program serves parents, infants, and children in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties. PHFE WIC is nationally recognized as a leader and innovator in nutrition education, breastfeeding support, staff training, customer service, and outreach to community partners.
