WIC Nutrition for Families
Nutritious food for a healthy family.
WIC is a public health nutrition program designed to improve health outcomes and influence lifetime nutrition and health behaviors in targeted, at-risk populations. It provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support and services, supplemental nutritious foods, and referrals to community programs.
Looking for breastfeeding support? You can find that here.
The supplemental foods that WIC offers each month are not intended to meet all your nutritional needs for a balanced diet, but to help fill in the specific nutrients that are most important for an adult to have during pregnancy and lactation (milk production), and for children during the rapid growth periods of infancy and early childhood.
Nutrition education is the cornerstone of the WIC Program. Linn County WIC offers a variety of learning opportunities, where participants can find nutrition and health information specific to their personal interests and goals. Our nutrition professionals are available to assist you with your nutrition concerns at no cost.
Wondering about WIC food packages? Please visit Oregon State WIC website to find out more. (Note, the Linn County WIC program does not provide emergency food services.)
Apply for Services
To be eligible for WIC, you must 1) be an Oregon resident, 2) be pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding with an infant or a child under five years old, 3) have a nutritional need or risk, and 4) have a household income less than 185% of the federal poverty limit.
You can visit the Oregon WIC income eligibility section to see if you might qualify. If you can prove that you’re fully eligible for Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid), TANF, SNAP Food Stamps, or FDPIR, you are automatically income-eligible for WIC.
Your eWIC Card
You can access your WIC food benefits on an electronic card (like a debit card). This makes it much faster to pay for your WIC items in the checkout lane!
With your eWIC card, you can purchase what you need when you want, instead of buying everything at one time. And WIC benefits for everyone in the household are on the same card, so it’s easier to keep track of. As a result, sometimes you’ll be able to buy bigger sizes, too.
Farmers Market Vouchers
Ask your local WIC staff about your options to receive Farm Direct Nutrition Program Checks. You can also visit the Oregon Farm Direct Nutrition page to learn more about this program.
Vouchers are limited, usually becoming available in June, so be sure to check ahead. Also look for program updates, local farmers market info, and how to find the farmers market closest to you during the summer.