If you participate in the state’s Women, Infants, and Children program, be prepared to see some new options included in your food packages. Monday marked the first day WIC participants could purchase the new food packages, which are often revised once a decade in response to the latest research and requirements from the United States Department of Agriculture and other relevant agencies. Increased fruit and vegetable benefit allowance, reduced amounts of fluid milk and juice, the addition of canned fish for infants, and new levels of whole grain foods for kids and pregnant/postpartum women highlight some of the changes WIC program participants will see. Door County WIC Director Teresa Mertens says participants will see a little more flexibility in their food packages, especially when it comes to dairy products.

According to the USDA, WIC is available to income-eligible pregnant and postpartum women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under five (up to their fifth birthday). Men can also apply if they have children under their care. Mertens says many of the 200 families enrolled in Door County also rely on BadgerCare and FoodShare.