Location

Nutrition Programs Administration
WIC State Agency
2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE
Suite 409
Washington, DC 20020
(202) 645-5663
(202) 645-0516 Fax
(800) 345-1WIC Appointments

Mission

The mission of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is to improve the lifelong health and nutrition of pregnant women, new mothers (breast-feeding and non-breast-feeding), infants, and children by providing nutrition education, nutrient-rich supplemental food, and health and social service referrals.

Program Description

WIC is a federally funded nutrition program that provides nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, and supplemental food to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age 5.

Authorized by Congress in 1972 as a two-year pilot program, WIC became permanent in 1974. The WIC Program has over 25 years of experience providing nutrition education and supplemental food to pregnant women, infants and children. In a 1999 survey, WIC scored second highest among 30 high-impact government programs in customer satisfaction.

The US Congress established WIC because research showed that pregnant women, postpartum (new mothers) and breastfeeding women, infants, and young children from families with inadequate income were more likely to have poor pregnancy outcomes and mental and physical problems. The research also showed that adequate nutrition and health care could reduce risks to physical and mental health.

Services

The WIC program improves the lifelong health and nutrition of pregnant women, new mothers (breast-feeding and non-breast-feeding), infants, and children. Click on the links below to learn how WIC can help you.

Apply for WIC Approved Foods Approved WIC Food Stores and Pharmacies Benefits Breast-feeding Information and Support Clinic Enrollment Sites Community Relations

Eligibility Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Mobile Unit Schedule Nutrition Sample Food Packages WIC and CSFP Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Buyer's Guide*

This site provides additional information on the Nutrition Programs Administration.