Author: Michelle

WIC families in California can get checks worth $30 (three checks worth $10 each) to buy fruits and vegetables at WIC-certified farmers markets (limit one per family per year). When the program starts, PHFE WIC families can reserve their checks online and pick them up from the WIC table at the farmers market. Check back for updates about when you can reserve your checks and to see which markets we’ll be at this summer!

About WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program 2023

Who is Eligible for Farmers Market Checks?

Only currently enrolled families can get farmers market checks. Not enrolled in WIC? Apply now! Need to renew your WIC account? Text APPT with your preferred date and time to 91997 to schedule an appointment.

By the end of March, millions of Californians will lose the enhanced CalFresh benefits – the CalFresh Cliff. The funds were added during the COVID pandemic to help families buy groceries, and this loss now comes as food prices are quickly rising due to inflation.

Learn how to take action to help families with children under five by immediately connecting them to WIC. The current value of the child WIC food package is approximately $75, and WIC foods are inflation-proof! Attend the webinar and get your questions answered.

Families may qualify for cash-back tax credits worth hundreds or thousands of dollars from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), and Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC) when they file their taxes. Even if you don’t normally file taxes or have low to no income, you may still qualify. Tax credits do not affect your WIC benefits.

What if I need help filing my taxes?

Which tax credits am I eligible for?

See the basic eligibility requirements for each tax credit below. For federal taxes, no additional form is needed to claim these credits. When filing for state taxes, families will need to fill out the California Earned Income Tax Credit Form 3514.

FAQs

By March 2023, millions of California families will experience a sudden decrease in CalFresh (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP) benefits – the CalFresh Cliff. The emergency funds were previously added by the federal government in 2020 to help families buy groceries during the pandemic.

On average, families could see a decrease of $82 in monthly benefits, and one-person households could see a loss as high as $258 each month. With the rising cost of food, families are not able to shop for as many groceries with the new amounts they will receive.

CalFresh Families Can Apply for WIC

CalFresh participants who are pregnant or have a child under five qualify for WIC and should participate in both programs. The WIC program does not affect immigration status, show up on credit reports or background checks, and will not hurt employment opportunities.

Find Food Assistance Programs

Use the resources below to find additional food assistance programs near you. Families enrolled in WIC can apply for other food assistance programs and should not include their participation in WIC as part of their income. For families who do not qualify for WIC, you may be eligible for a different program below. If your income or family size changes, call or text us to reapply!

WIC is here to support you and your goals for feeding your baby. Pregnant and breastfeeding families are invited to join breastfeeding support groups on Zoom to connect and learn with other parents. Support groups are offered in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Armenian.

See our upcoming breastfeeding support groups below. Click the ‘Join now’ button on the day and time of the support group to connect on Zoom. See you there!

Families can now use their WIC Card at three local farmers markets in LA County! Shop for fresh produce at Culver City Farmers Market, La Cienega Farmers Market, and Echo Park Farmers Market.

Culver City and La Cienega Farmers Market

$10 Bonus

Spend at least $10 of your fruit and vegetable benefit to receive an additional $10 while supplies last.

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Echo Park and Central Avenue Farmers Market

$10 Bonus

Bring your receipt back to the info booth to get an extra $10 to purchase fresh fruits and veggies while supplies last.

Egg prices are rising, but using your WIC benefits can make grocery shopping easier! There is an egg shortage due to the avian flu and higher costs to produce them. Even though prices are increasing, your WIC benefits stay the same each month. Every WIC participant over the age of one receives one dozen eggs, and fully breastfeeding parents receive two dozen eggs every month.

Check your WIC food balance regularly, and remember to shop for your foods before the benefits end date!

Where can I shop for eggs with my WIC benefits?

Stores that accept WIC will have a WIC logo on the front window. Use the WIC Grocers section in the California WIC App to see which stores near you accept WIC. If eggs are hard to find at large grocery stores, try shopping at smaller WIC-only stores.

What type of eggs can I buy with my WIC benefits?

Not enrolled for WIC? Apply now!
Need to renew your WIC account? Text APPT with your preferred date and time to 91997 to schedule an appointment.

Congratulations to Kiran Saluja, MPH, RDN, the Executive Director at PHFE WIC who recently received the Center for Health Equity, Education, and Research (CHEER) 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award! CHEER recognizes and honors her lifelong dedication and achievements in breastfeeding advocacy.

Throughout her career, Kiran has been committed to the health and nutrition of parents, infants, and children. Her passion and advocacy for breastfeeding stemmed from her own personal inability to breastfeed her first daughter when she was misinformed by hospital professionals. Through WIC, she now helps educate, support, and advocate for women who want to breastfeed and have faced similar situations.

She has served on several committees, including the Board of the National WIC Association (NWA) and even served as Board Chair in 2012. Kiran represented the NWA in 2010 before the U.S. House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee which resulted in the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act. She has also supported the USDA WIC Breastfeeding Social Marketing campaign at the Institute of Medicine, now known as the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, in 2011.

Her most memorable achievements are speaking before Congress, co-founding Breastfeed LA, breastfeeding her own children, and supporting her own daughters with exclusive breastfeeding. Kiran enjoys spending her time with her husband of 42 years, three daughters, and two sets of twin grandchildren. She also enjoys time with friends, walking, cooking, and listening to audiobooks.

Congratulations to Kiran for all the advocacy towards breastfeeding and sharing her vision!

“Breastfeeding should be the default for all moms and especially WIC moms. The education and support necessary to make this happen must be prioritized while at the same time the facts about the mediocrity of formula should be well understood. I am proud of the strides made by the WIC program and know that we have a LOT MORE work ahead of us.” – Kiran Saluja

Join CHEER for a virtual celebration in March 2023! The official date will be announced soon.

WIC families receive a cash value (CVB) for fruits and vegetables as part of their WIC food package each month. Since June 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved an increase to the amount families receive for pregnant and postpartum parents and children over the age of one – the “WIC Bump.”

A recent study by PHFE WIC’s Research Team showed that the CVB increase resulted in a larger variety and amount of fruits and vegetables redeemed. The current increased fruits and vegetables benefit is approved through September 2023.

Families can shop for fresh, dried, canned, and frozen fruits and vegetables in any brand, type, or combination, including organic with their WIC benefits.

Read the full data brief on the study completed by PHFE WIC’s Research Team here.

California Department of Public Health sent a text message to WIC families saying, “CA WIC: due to the bad weather we are having, your WIC benefits may be affected in some areas. Call your WIC office or 1-800-852-5779 for questions.”

Benefits may already be available on your WIC card. Check the food balance screen of the CA WIC app, for questions text 91997.

Appointments are available by phone. Contact your local office or text us at 91997 to schedule an appointment.  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing to change the WIC food package for the first time in over ten years. Some changes proposed include the following:

• keep the increased fruit and vegetable benefit,
• offer more options for whole grains,
• add seafood to children, pregnant and postpartum packages,
• and offer more substitutions for all food packages.

The new changes would also allow families to shop for different sizes for all food categories (except infant formula).

How could the food package change?

When would changes to the WIC food package happen?

WIC food package changes would not happen immediately. The commenting period for USDA’s proposed WIC food package changes closed on February 21, 2023. The USDA will review all comments before making a final ruling. We could see changes to the WIC food package as soon as 2024.

Thank you to our WIC participants, staff, and community partners who submitted a comment in support of the WIC food package changes.

WIC is here for parents through every step of their infant feeding journey to educate, empower, and encourage parents to reach their feeding goals.

What is Chestfeeding?

Chestfeeding is when a child is fed human milk from a parent’s chest. It is a term used by many transgender and nonbinary parents who may not identify with the words breastfeeding or nursing. People who identify as female may also prefer the term chestfeeding.

What is the difference between Chestfeeding and Breastfeeding?

Physically, chestfeeding and breastfeeding are exactly the same. Lactating parents can choose the term they are most comfortable with.

WIC is committed to being part of parents’ support systems by providing free phone, video, and in-person services. Contact your local WIC office or text us at 91997.

September 8 is International Literacy Day.

The United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established this day back in 1966. This year’s theme is Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces.

Since July 2021, PHFE WIC has provided over 42,000 total books to 21,600 kids through the Little by Little program (funded by First 5 LA and Books for Kids – California State Grant).

Little by Little is a school readiness program that was first launched at PHFE WIC in 2003 for children enrolled in WIC. These services are currently offered to families in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Orange County at our Washington, Indian Hill, Placentia, Chino, and Santa Ana East WIC Offices.

The programs provide parents:

• Informational materials for each developmental milestone
• Books to engage with their child
• Continued support to be their child’s first teacher

Learn more about Little by Little and the information families receive for each milestone.

Attention WIC and CalFresh participants!

Your safety is our priority. WIC staff will not go to your home and ask for your information. Please protect yourself from WIC Card and CalFresh EBT scams.

Guard your information! WIC staff will only ask for confidential information during WIC appointments. We will never ask for your PIN, or photos of your WIC card or EBT card number. 

Beware of scammers asking for a picture of your benefits card in exchange for a free phone. WIC is not associated with any free phone services. Learn how you can safely apply for a free or discounted phone with California LifeLine.

All WIC services are by phone, online, or provided at our offices. WIC staff will not visit your home or ask for your information at any time other than your WIC appointments.

Keep your PIN safe! Do not share your EBT card PIN with anyone, including store vendors.

Regularly check your WIC food balance. Text 91997 or call 1-844-4MY-FAMILY to report any missing benefits.

Text 91997 to report any suspicious WIC-related calls or interactions.