The Florida Department of Health (DOH) marked 49 years of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which has provided nutrition services to families since 1974. WIC currently serves about 422,000 Floridians each month.
According to DOH, the percentage of infants in Florida WIC who have ever been breastfed reached 86.2 percent as of June 2023. The department attributes this increase to the program’s focus on early participation, which can have a positive effect on development and birth outcomes while reducing the risk of low-birth weight. Participation in WIC is also linked with higher rates of breastfeeding initiation.
Eligibility for WIC does not require participants to be enrolled in other public assistance programs. The department notes that recent economic conditions, including inflation and rising food prices, have created financial challenges for many families in Florida. This has underscored the importance of making sure eligible residents access available nutrition services such as WIC.
To qualify for WIC, applicants must be pregnant or breastfeeding women, women up to six months postpartum, infants, or children under five years old. Additional requirements include having a low or moderate income, residing in Florida, and having a nutritional need that can be addressed by WIC foods and services such as nutrition education and counseling. The program also provides breastfeeding support and health care referrals. Nutritionists working with WIC educate mothers about healthy choices for their babies and families while encouraging lasting healthy habits.
Florida's WIC program operates through the Department of Health across all 67 counties in the state. More information about eligibility is available at www.FloridaWIC.org or by calling toll-free at 1-800-342-3556.
"This institution is an equal opportunity provider," according to the department.
The Florida Department of Health is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and works to protect, promote, and improve health throughout Florida through coordinated efforts at state, county, and community levels.
More details about DOH are available at www.FloridaHealth.gov.