WIC Foods and
Shopping Tips
WIC-approved foods provides the nutrients to support maternal health and child development. Food packages vary to ensure each family member’s nutrition requirements are met as their needs change.
How WIC Food Packages Work
The value of each WIC food package depends on your (or your child’s) preferences, medical needs, and where you shop. A monthly dollar amount for fruits and vegetables is added to your WIC card while all other foods are added as a credit amount to your card, no matter the price.
If you or your child have food allergies or intolerances, talk to your WIC counselor during your appointment or text 91997 to make updates to your food package.
Benefits for every family member enrolled in WIC will be added to your WIC card. Check your WIC Food Balance every month. Remember to shop for all of your foods before your benefit end date!
WIC Food Packages by Category
During Pregnancy
- $47 for fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables*
- 1 dozen eggs
- 4.5 gallons 1% low-fat or nonfat milk (lactose-free and soy options are available)
- 32 ounces low-fat or nonfat yogurt
- 16 ounces cheese or 32 ounces of tofu
- 16 ounces whole grains (Options include whole-wheat bread, pasta, or tortillas; oatmeal, brown rice, corn tortillas and more.)
- 36 ounces of breakfast cereal
- 1 container of peanut butter
- 4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans
- 144 ounces juice
Children Ages 1-4
- $26 for fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables*
- 1 dozen eggs
- 3 gallons of milk (lactose-free and soy options are available)
- Whole milk between ages 1-2
- 1% low-fat or nonfat milk for ages 2-4
- 16 ounces cheese or 32 ounces of tofu
- 32 ounces whole grains (Options include whole-wheat bread, pasta, or tortillas; oatmeal, brown rice, corn tortillas and more.)
- 36 ounces of breakfast cereal
- 4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans or 1 jar of peanut butter
- 128 ounces juice
- 32 ounces whole fat yogurt
The more you breastfeed, the more food you receive from WIC.
Making healthy human milk burns a lot of calories! Eating well gives you the energy and nutrients you need to care for and feed your baby. The amount of WIC foods a breastfeeding parent receives varies based on how much they are breastfeeding. The more you breastfeed, the longer you may be eligible for WIC.
Need help breastfeeding? WIC counselors, peer counselors, and lactation consultants can help! Call our Infant Feeding Helpline (888) 278-6455, Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
Fully Breastfeeding
Moms may receive food, breastfeeding support, and nutrition education for up to 1 year.
- $52 for fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables*
- 2 dozen eggs
- 5 gallons 1% low-fat or nonfat milk (lactose-free and soy options are available)
- 32 ounces cheese or 64 ounces of tofu
- 16 ounces whole grains (Options include whole-wheat bread, pasta, or tortillas; oatmeal, brown rice, corn tortillas and more.)
- 36 ounces of breakfast cereal
- 1 jar of peanut butter
- 4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans
- 30 ounces canned fish
- 144 ounces juice
- 32 ounces low-fat or nonfat yogurt
Infants
Birth through 11 months: Mom’s healthy breastmilk
At 6 months:
- 24 ounces of infant cereal
- 64 containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
- 31 containers of infant meat
At 9 months:
- 24 ounces of infant cereal
- 32 containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
- 31 containers of infant meat
- $8 fresh fruits and vegetables or 32 additional containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
Mostly Breastfeeding
Moms may receive food, breastfeeding support, and nutrition education for up to 1 year.
- $52 for fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables*
- 1 dozen eggs
- 4.5 gallons 1% low-fat or nonfat milk (lactose-free and soy options are available)
- 16 ounces cheese or 32 ounces of tofu
- 16 ounces whole grains (Options include whole-wheat bread, pasta, or tortillas; oatmeal, brown rice, corn tortillas and more.)
- 36 ounces of breakfast cereal
- 1 jar of peanut butter
- 4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans
- 144 ounces juice
- 32 ounces low-fat or nonfat yogurt
Infants
Birth through 11 months:
- Mom’s healthy breastmilk + some formula (amount varies)
- Birth to 1 month: 1 can powder formula
- 1 to 3 months: 1-4 cans of powder formula
- 4 to 5 months: 1-5 cans of powder formula
- 6 to 11 months 1-4 cans powder formula
At 6 months:
- 24 ounces of infant cereal
- 32 containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
- Formula (see above)
At 9 months:
- 24 ounces of infant cereal
- 16 containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
- $4 fresh fruits and vegetables or 16 additional containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
- Formula (see above)
Some / No Breastfeeding
Moms may receive food for 6 months, with breastfeeding support and nutrition education for up to 1 year.
- Fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables
- $52 for Some Breastfeeding*
- $47 for No Breastfeeding*
- 1 dozen eggs
- 3 gallons 1% low-fat or nonfat milk (lactose-free and soy options are available)
- 16 ounces cheese or 32 ounces of tofu
- 36 ounces of breakfast cereal
- 1 jar of peanut butter or 4 cans of cooked beans or 1 package of dry beans
- 96 ounces juice
- 32 ounces low-fat or nonfat yogurt
Infants
Birth through 11 months:
- Mom’s healthy breastmilk + some formula (amount varies)
- Birth to 1 month: 2-9 cans of powder formula
- 1 to 3 months: 5-9 cans of powder formula
- 4 to 5 months: 6-10 cans of powder formula
- 6 to 11 months 5-7 cans powder formula
At 6 months:
- 24 ounces of infant cereal
- 32 containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
- Formula (see above)
At 9 months:
- 24 ounces of infant cereal
- 16 containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
- $4 fresh fruits and vegetables or 16 additional containers of infant fruits and vegetable purees
- Formula (see above)
Shopping for Your WIC Foods
Get Your WIC Card
You will receive your WIC card by mail or at a WIC office. If you sign up by phone or video, your card will be mailed to you. If you enroll at a WIC office, you will get your card the same day. The WIC program provides monthly benefits to purchase healthy foods at most grocery stores. Not everything at the grocery store is eligible for purchase with your WIC Card. If your WIC card is lost or damaged, contact us for a replacement.
Find a WIC-Authorized Grocery Store or WIC-Approved Farmers’ Market
Stores that accept the WIC card have a WIC logo on the front window. To find WIC-authorized grocery stores near you in California, visit myfamily.wic.ca.gov or search your zip code in the WIC Grocers section of the California WIC App.
A new California WIC card with a quick-response (QR) code allows families to use their cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets year-round.
Foods You Can Buy
The WIC food list includes vegetables and fruits, milk, eggs, beans, peanut butter, cheese, yogurt, canned fish, baby food, infant WIC-approved cereal, WIC baby formula, and whole-grain foods such as rice, bread, cereal, tortillas, and pasta.
Your WIC-eligible foods will vary based on your child’s age, medical needs, and your preferences. Soy milk, lactose-free milk, and other options are also available for your WIC items.
Understand Your WIC Foods in Ounces
Whole grains, cheese, yogurt, cereal, tofu, and juice benefits appear on your WIC Food Benefits list in ounces. Use this guide to help you purchase the right amount of food issued in ounces to get the most from your benefits.
