Press release from Buncombe County Health and Human Services:
Buncombe County Health and Human Services is excited to bring eWIC to families in Buncombe County! The North Carolina WIC Program is moving from a paper-based method of WIC benefit issuance to an electronic benefit transfer system, called eWIC. eWIC makes it easy for clients to use their WIC funds on one convenient card when they purchase healthy foods at the grocery store. WIC food benefits will now be issued into an electronic benefit account at the local WIC clinic and families will use their eWIC card and PIN to access their food benefits at the grocery store.
WIC families will be able to better track their monthly food balance and they will have access to a new WICShopper Smart Phone App that allows them to scan a food’s bar code to determine if it is a WIC approved item. In Buncombe County, an estimated 4,292 women, infants and children used WIC funds to purchase nearly $3 million worth of healthy foods in 2017.
Buncombe County WIC has been offering client focused nutrition education, healthy food, and breastfeeding support for over 40 years and is considered as one of the most successful, cost-effective and important nutrition intervention programs in the county.
Sarah Bennett, the Buncombe County WIC Nutrition Program Manager, believes that eWIC will improve the overall WIC experience. When asked about the new format, Bennett says, “We are excited to offer a new, convenient way for our families to shop and experience all of the amazing WIC resources and benefits.”
Bennett notes that while WIC is a successful nutrition program, many in our community don’t know that they qualify for such a great service. “A family of 3 with an income of $37,777 can be eligible for WIC benefits if there is a pregnant or breastfeeding woman in the household or if there are children between the ages of 0-5 years old in the family. Our goal is to support the nutritional needs of families in Buncombe County so that they can thrive.”
Buncombe County WIC has appointment openings. For more information about WIC, visit www.buncombecounty.org/wic or call 828.250.5000.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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