WIC PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE SERVICES

The New Madrid Co. Health Department has announced that a contract to continue to provide WIC services for federal fiscal year 2016 has been signed with the Missouri Department of Health. Under the terms of the contract the New Madrid Co. Health Department will be able to serve 701 persons eligible for WIC every month. This gives a total of $113,616.00 to offer WIC services to county residents.

WIC (the special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children) provides at no cost, specific nutritious supplemental foods and nutrition education to pregnant and breastfeeding women, postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5. WIC participants are persons who meet WIC income guidelines and are determined by health professionals to be at nutritional risk.

WIC supplemental food packages are specifically chosen to provide foods high in protein, iron, calcium and vitamins A and C. Eligible women and children receive fortified milk and cheese, eggs, hot or cold cereals high in iron, fruit juices and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C, whole grain bread, rice, or tortillas, dried or canned beans or peas, and peanut butter. Although the WIC program recommends and promotes breastfeeding, infants receive supplemental iron fortified formula when needed, and infant cereal and baby foods at the appropriate age.

Participants are issued vouchers to buy these foods at authorized local retail stores.

By improving the diets of low- income women, infants and children, the WIC program improves the health status of a vulnerable population during a critical growth period.

WIC is administered in New Madrid County by the New Madrid County Health Department located at 406 US Highway 61 New Madrid, Mo. WIC services are also provided at Matthews, Morehouse, Portageville, Gideon, Risco, and Parma each month. Persons interested in applying or in need of more information should contact the New Madrid Co. Health department at 1-573-748-5581.

Standards for participation in the WIC program are the same for everyone regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap.