WIC-approved foods provide optimal nutrition to support maternal health and child development. Food packages vary to ensure each family member’s nutrition requirements are met as their needs change.

The dollar value of each WIC food package depends on your (or your child’s) preferences or medical needs and where you shop. A dollar amount is added to your WIC card for fruits and vegetables. All other benefits are a credit on your WIC card. For example, your food package may include a credit for 16 ounces of whole grains each month. You can buy any 16-ounce WIC-approved whole grain from any WIC-approved store, no matter the price.

Some alternatives are available to accommodate food allergies or intolerances. If you or your child have a food allergy or intolerance and need to change a food in your food package, talk to your WIC counselor during your appointment or send a text to 91997.

Benefits for every family member enrolled in WIC will be added to your WIC card. Check your WIC Food Balance every month. Remember to shop for all of your foods before your benefit end date! For tips like understanding your food balance in ounces, visit Shopping for WIC Foods.

California WIC Authorized Food List

WIC Food Packages by Category

During Pregnancy

  • $47 for fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables*
  • 1 dozen eggs
  • 4.5 gallons 1% low-fat or nonfat milk (lactose-free and soy options are available)
  • 16 ounces cheese or 32 ounces of tofu
  • 16 ounces whole grains (Options include whole-wheat bread, pasta, or tortillas; oatmeal, brown rice, corn tortillas and more.)
  • 36 ounces of breakfast cereal
  • 1 container of peanut butter
  • 4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans
  • 144 ounces juice
  • 32 ounces low-fat or nonfat yogurt

Estimated value: $100-130 per month

Children Ages 1-2

  • $26 for fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables*
  • 1 dozen eggs
  • 3 gallons of whole milk (lactose-free and soy options are available)
  • 16 ounces cheese or 32 ounces of tofu
  • 32 ounces whole grains (Options include whole-wheat bread, pasta, or tortillas; oatmeal, brown rice, corn tortillas and more.)
  • 36 ounces of breakfast cereal
  • 4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans or 1 jar of peanut butter
  • 128 ounces juice
  • 32 ounces whole fat yogurt

Estimated value: $90-105 per month

Children Ages 2-4

  • $26 for fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables*
  • 1 dozen eggs
  • 3 gallons 1% low-fat or nonfat milk (lactose-free and soy options are available)
  • 16 ounces cheese or 32 ounces of tofu
  • 32 ounces whole grains (Options include whole-wheat bread, pasta, or tortillas; oatmeal, brown rice, corn tortillas and more.)
  • 36 ounces of breakfast cereal
  • 4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans or 1 jar of peanut butter
  • 128 ounces juice
  • 32 ounces low-fat or nonfat yogurt

Estimated value: $90-105 per month

The more you breastfeed, the more food you receive from WIC.

Making healthy human milk burns a lot of calories! Eating well gives you the energy and nutrients you need to care for and feed your baby. The amount of WIC foods a breastfeeding parent receives varies based on how much they are breastfeeding. The more you breastfeed, the longer you may be eligible for WIC. Breastfeeding food packages are estimated to be worth $95-160 dollars per month for mom.

Looking to breastfeed more? WIC counselors, peer counselors, and lactation consultants can help! Call our Infant Feeding Helpline (888) 278-6455, Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.

Fully Breastfeeding

 

Moms may receive food, breastfeeding support, and nutrition education for up to 1 year.

  • $52 for fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables*
  • 2 dozen eggs
  • 5 gallons 1% low-fat or nonfat milk (lactose-free and soy options are available)
  • 32 ounces cheese or 64 ounces of tofu
  • 16 ounces whole grains (Options include whole-wheat bread, pasta, or tortillas; oatmeal, brown rice, corn tortillas and more.)
  • 36 ounces of breakfast cereal
  • 1 jar of peanut butter
  • 4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans
  • 30 ounces canned fish
  • 144 ounces juice
  • 32 ounces low-fat or nonfat yogurt

Infants

Birth through 11 months: Mom’s healthy breastmilk

At 6 months:

  • 24 ounces of infant cereal
  • 64 containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
  • 31 containers of infant meat

At 9 months:

  • 24 ounces of infant cereal
  • 32 containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
  • 31 containers of infant meat
  • $8 fresh fruits and vegetables

Mostly Breastfeeding

 

Moms may receive food, breastfeeding support, and nutrition education for up to 1 year.

  • $52 for fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables*
  • 1 dozen eggs
  • 4.5 gallons 1% low-fat or nonfat milk (lactose-free and soy options are available)
  • 16 ounces cheese or 32 ounces of tofu
  • 16 ounces whole grains (Options include whole-wheat bread, pasta, or tortillas; oatmeal, brown rice, corn tortillas and more.)
  • 36 ounces of breakfast cereal
  • 1 jar of peanut butter
  • 4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans
  • 144 ounces juice
  • 32 ounces low-fat or nonfat yogurt

Infants

Birth through 11 months:

  • Mom’s healthy breastmilk + some formula (amount varies)
    • Birth to 1 month: 1 can powder formula
    • 1 to 3 months: 1-4 cans of powder formula
    • 4 to 5 months: 1-5 cans of powder formula
    • 6 to 11 months 1-4 cans powder formula

At 6 months:

  • 24 ounces of infant cereal
  • 32 containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
  • Formula (see above)

At 9 months:

  • 24 ounces of infant cereal
  • 16 containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
  • $4 fresh fruits and vegetables or 16 additional containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
  • Formula (see above)

Some / No Breastfeeding

 

Moms may receive food for 6 months, with breastfeeding support and nutrition education for up to 1 year.

  • Fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables
    • $52 for Some Breastfeeding*
    • $47 for No Breastfeeding*
  • 1 dozen eggs
  • 3 gallons 1% low-fat or nonfat milk (lactose-free and soy options are available)
  • 16 ounces cheese or 32 ounces of tofu
  • 36 ounces of breakfast cereal
  • 1 jar of peanut butter or 4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans
  • 96 ounces juice
  • 32 ounces low-fat or nonfat yogurt

Infants

Birth through 11 months:

  • Mom’s healthy breastmilk + some formula (amount varies)
    • Birth to 1 month: 2-9 cans of powder formula
    • 1 to 3 months: 5-9 cans of powder formula
    • 4 to 5 months: 6-10 cans of powder formula
    • 6 to 11 months 5-7 cans powder formula

At 6 months:

  • 24 ounces of infant cereal
  • 32 containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
  • Formula (see above)

At 9 months:

  • 24 ounces of infant cereal
  • 16 containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
  • $4 fresh fruits and vegetables or 16 additional containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
  • Formula (see above)