Buncombe County Health & Human Services shares info on WIC program

Press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Many That Qualify for WIC Might Not Be Aware

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. – Healthy food choices can make a big difference in the life of a family, ensuring that babies, children and their families have the nutrition they need to learn and grow. Buncombe County Health and Human Services wants people to know that they may qualify for a program called WIC (Women, Infants and Children) which provides support to families to help make ends meet while buying healthy foods for their family.

WIC offers nutrition education and vouchers for healthy foods to pregnant mothers, breast feeding mothers, and children under the age of five. WIC gives parents easy to understand information on meal planning and nutrition so that parents know what healthy foods to buy. A family of four qualifies for WIC with a total annual income of $44,863 or less, and a single mom with one child qualifies with a total annual income of $29,471 or less.

“There are many families in Buncombe County that may qualify for WIC services and don’t realize that they do,” says Sarah Bennett, Nutrition Program Manager. “WIC is much more than people realize. The nutrition education, breastfeeding support and healthy foods that WIC provides gives children a healthy start in life, which is so important for their future development.”

Fortunately, it is easy to apply for WIC. Busy caregivers only have to come into the office four times a year for services and to receive food vouchers. We have worked hard in Buncombe County to reduce appointment times to less than an hour, which saves valuable time for mothers and fathers who are busy getting to work or caring for children. WIC currently serves around 5,387 participants in Buncombe County every month.

The Buncombe County WIC Program has trained staff that can assist moms with decisions about what types of foods to feed their babies and they are available to answer questions about their child’s diet and eating habits. Healthy food items are provided to pregnant mothers and young children who participate in the program, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and foods rich in protein. Breastfeeding support is also an important part of the WIC Program and WIC staff can help teach moms the basics of breastfeeding. Infant formula is provided if a woman is unable to breastfeed.

Call (828) 250-5000 to make a WIC appointment. To learn more about WIC, visit buncombecounty.org/wic or the North Carolina WIC website at nutritionnc.com/wic. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.