Better
nutrition
for a
brighter
future
Maryland
WoMen,
Infants &
ChIldren
PrograM
WIC
AUTHORIZED
FOODS LIST
effeCtIVe
oCtoBer 2014
Bring this list when you shop
for WIC foods!
WIC Foods
To have a healthy baby, you need to eat right.
The way you eat can affect how well your baby
grows. A child needs the right foods to grow strong
and be ready to learn.
WIC foods are packed with nutrients like:
n Protein to build muscles
and organs
n Calcium and vitamin D
for strong bones
n Iron for healthy blood
n Vitamins to help the body work
WIC foods are also low in sugar and fat.
WIC foods are for you or your child only.
They help you get what you need to stay healthy.
You’ll still need to buy other foods. WIC foods are
meant to add to what you already eat.
When money is tight, it’s hard to eat the way you
should. WIC staff can give you tips to get the most
food value for the money. You can also get ideas for
quick and low cost meals and snacks.
WIC Fraud Prevention Is
Everyone’s Responsibility!
By following these rules, you help
the Maryland WIC Program help you
and others.
8
Do not sell or give away your WIC Foods.
8
Do not sell or give away your WIC checks.
8
Do not buy or attempt to buy food items that are
not WIC allowed.
8
Do not return your WIC foods to the store for a
refund or store credit.
4
Report stores or other WIC participants that you
know are not following the rules to your Local
WIC Agency.
How to shop for
WIC foods
WIC gives you checks to
buy your WIC foods.
Here are the steps you
must follow:
1.
Shop at a WIC approved
store. Look for the
WIC
Accepted Here
sign.
2.
Decide what checks to
spend. Look at the dates.
You can only spend a
check on or between the
First and Last Dates
to Spend.
3.
Take your checks, WIC ID Folder, and Authorized
Foods List to the store.
4.
Buy only the foods shown on the checks and WIC
Authorized Foods List.
5.
Use a checkout lane with a cashier.
Do not
use
a cash-only express or self-checkout lane.
6.
Separate foods into groups for each check.
Keep non-WIC items separate.
7.
Give the cashier your WIC ID Folder and each
check you are spending.
8.
Let the cashier ring up the foods, one check
at a time.
9.
Sign each check
after
the cashier enters the
total price. Be sure the
price is correct.
10
.
Get all WIC sales
receipts and your ID
Folder from the
cashier.
Your “Steps for Using
Your WIC Checks”
leaflet is a handy
guide for showing
these steps!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does “store brand if available” mean?
You must buy the store brand if the store carries it
and if it is in stock. Refer to the Store Brand Shopping
Guide for store brand examples.
2. What should I do if the store brand is not available?
If the store carries national brands in addition to the
store brand and the store brand is not available, you
can buy a national brand.
3. If the store brand of cheddar cheese is not in stock,
can I buy a national brand of cheddar or must I buy the
store brand of another kind of cheese like American
or Swiss?
If the store brand of the kind of cheese you want to
buy is not in stock, you can buy a national brand of
that cheese. For example, if you want to buy cheddar
cheese and the store only has the store brand of
American, you can buy a national brand of cheddar.
You do not need to buy the store brand of American
cheese.
4. If the store brand of navy beans is not in stock, can I
buy a national brand of navy beans or do I need to buy
the store brand of another kind of beans like kidney
beans or black beans?
If the store brand of the kind of beans you want to
buy is not in stock, you can buy a national brand of
those beans. You do not need to buy a different kind
of WIC allowed beans.
5. If the store brand of baby food sweet potatoes is not
in stock, can I buy a national brand of baby food sweet
potatoes or must I buy the store brand of another kind
of baby food vegetables like green beans?
If the store brand of the kind of baby food vegetables,
fruit, or meat you want to buy is not in stock, you can
buy a national brand. For example, if you want to
buy baby food sweet potatoes and the store only has
the store brand of green beans, you can buy a
national brand of baby food sweet potatoes.
6. Do I need to buy the store brand of fruit or vegetables
with a Fruit and Vegetable check?
No, you can buy any brand of fruit or vegetables with
a Fruit and Vegetable check.
7. Can I buy green beans, wax beans, or sweet peas with
a WIC check offering beans?
No, but you can buy green beans, wax beans or sweet
peas with a Fruit and Vegetable check.
8. Can I buy a pumpkin with a Fruit and Vegetable
check?
Yes, a pumpkin is considered a fruit. You can buy it
with a Fruit and Vegetable check. Painted or
decorated pumpkins are not allowed.
9. My store carries cultural foods like aloe vera and cactus.
Can I buy these with a Fruit and Vegetable check?
Yes, aloe vera and cactus are used as vegetables in
some cultures. You can buy these with a Fruit and
Vegetable check.
10. Can I buy baby food fruit and vegetables with a
Fruit and Vegetable check?
No, Fruit and Vegetable checks are intended for
women and child participants.
11. Can I buy fruit like applesauce in the “snack pack”
size with a Fruit and Vegetable check?
Yes, you can buy any size of canned fruit in a metal,
glass, or plastic container. It must be packed in water
or unsweetened juice.
12. If a WIC check says “15 ounces or less cereal” can
I buy a 15 ounce or smaller box of COLD cereal?
No, you can only buy an 11.8 to15 ounce box of
HOT cereal.
Remember, breastfeeding is
best for you and your baby.
BUY:
4

Type and size shown on check
4

Store brand if available
BUY IF PRINTED ON CHECK:
4

Lactose-reduced or lactose-free
(whole, lowfat, nonfat)
4

Powdered (dry, whole or nonfat)
4

Evaporated (whole or nonfat)
4

UHT (Ultra High Temperature)
4

Kosher
DO NOT BUY:
8
Buttermilk
8
Chocolate or other flavor
8
Organic, rice, or goat milk
8
Sweetened condensed
BUY:
4

American, Cheddar, Monterey
Jack, Mozzarella, or Swiss
4

Store brand if available
4

16 ounce size only
4
Blocked or sliced
4
Lowfat, reduced fat, and low sodium OK
DO NOT BUY:
8
Organic or imported
8
Deli, string, or individually wrapped
8
Cheese food, spread, or product
8
Cream cheese
8
Shredded, crumbled, or cubed
8
With flavors, nuts, peppers, or crackers
BUY:
4

White, medium or large
4
Store brand if available
4
One dozen only
DO NOT BUY:
8
Organic, brown, fertile,
or cage free
8
Lowfat or cholesterol free, omega-3, pasteurized,
or other specialty eggs
Milk
Cheese
Eggs
BUY:
4

Beans like kidney,
pinto, black, navy,
garbanzo, or lima
4

Split peas, black-eyed
peas, or lentils
4

Store brand if available
4

Dry, 16 ounce bag
4

Canned, water pack,
15 to 16 ounce can
DO NOT BUY:
8
Organic
8
Green or wax beans, sweet peas*
8

Soup, soup mixes, or with flavor packets
8

Beans with sauce, meat, fat, or oil
BUY:
4

Plain, smooth, crunchy,
extra crunchy, or creamy
4Store brand if available
416 to 18 ounce container
4Low sodium and low sugar OK
DO NOT BUY:
8
Organic, natural, reduced fat, fresh-ground
8
Honey roasted, mixed with marshmallow, jelly,
jam, honey, or chocolate
8
Peanut butter spreads
BUY IF PRINTED ON CHECK:
4
Chunk light tuna, water pack,
5 to 6 ounce can
4

Pink salmon, water pack,
5 to 7.5 ounce can
4

Sardines, water pack,
3.75 ounce can
4Store brand if available
DO NOT BUY:
8
Albacore or white tuna
8

Red salmon
8
Fish with added flavor or sauce
8

Organic, low sodium, or gourmet
8

Pouch, bowl, or kit
Canned Fish
Peanut Butter
Beans, Peas, Lentils
* BUY with your WIC Fruit & Vegetable check
18 oz.
Cereal
18 oz.
Cereal
24 oz.
Cereal
14 oz.
Hot
Cereal
18 oz.
Cereal
2
C
11.8 oz.
Hot
Cereal
Cereal —
You can combine different cereals
BUY:
4
Brands and types shown here only
4
18 ounce size or larger (cold cereal)
4
11.8 ounce size or larger (hot cereal)
DO NOT BUY:
8
Organic
General Mills
Kix
General Mills
Cheerios
General Mills
Multi Grain Cheerios
KelloGG’s
Scooby-Doo!
QuaKer
Life
Original
Possible ways
to buy up to
36 ounces
of cereal
18 ounces
+18 ounces
36 ounces
24 ounces
+11.8 ounces
35.8 ounces
General Mills
Gluten Free
Corn Chex
General Mills
Gluten Free
Rice Chex
QuaKer
Instant Oatmeal
Original Flavor
B&G FooDs
Cream of Wheat
.
Instant
.
1 Minute
.
2
1
/2 Minute
QuaKer
Instant Grits
Original Flavor
Indicates Whole Grain Food
QuaKer
Oatmeal Squares
Brown Sugar
QuaKer
Oatmeal Squares
Cinnamon
KelloGG’s
All Bran
Complete Wheat
Flakes
18 oz.
Cereal
18 oz.
Cereal
24 oz.
Cereal
14 oz.
Hot
Cereal
18 oz.
Cereal
C
11.8 oz.
Hot
Cereal
Cereal —
You can combine different cereals
KelloGG’s
Frosted
Mini Wheats
Bite size
Malt-o-Meal
Creamy Hot Wheat
KelloGG’s
Frosted
Mini Wheats
Big Bites
24 ounces
+11.8 ounces
35.8 ounces
18 ounces
+14 ounces
32 ounces
Malt-o-Meal
Oat Blenders
Honey
Malt-o-Meal
Oat Blenders
Honey & Almonds
KelloGG’s
Corn Flakes
KelloGG’s
Special K
KelloGG’s
Rice Krispies
post
Honey Bunches
of Oats
.
Vanilla Bunches
.
Honey Roasted
.
Almond
.
Cinnamon
Bunches
post
Shredded Wheat
Honey Nut
Indicates Gluten Free Food
post
Grape-Nuts
post
Grape-Nuts Flakes
post
Shredded Wheat
Lightly Frosted
Fruit & Vegetable Check
4Organic is OK
4Any brand
BUY:
4Loose or pre-packaged
4Whole or cut
4Sweet potatoes and yams OK
DO NOT BUY:
8White, red-skin, or gold potatoes
8Salad bar items, party platters, fruit baskets
8Herbs, nuts, peanuts
8Salad kits with nuts, croutons, or dressing
8Fruit or vegetables with dips
8Dried fruit
BUY:
4Plain
4Bag or box
4Low sodium OK
DO NOT BUY:
8French fries, tater tots, or other white potatoes
8WIC or other juice*
8Soup
8With potato, rice, or pasta
8With breading, butter, sauces, fat, oil, or meat
8With sugar
BUY:
4Water or juice pack only
4Metal, glass, or plastic container
4Low sodium OK
DO NOT BUY:
8WIC beans,* pork and beans, or baked beans
8WIC or other juice*
8Soup
8With added white potato, meat, fat, oil, rice,
or pasta
8Sugar-sweetened or in syrup
8With artificial sweetener
8Pickled vegetables, relishes, catsup
8Cranberry sauce, pie filling
Fresh
Frozen
Canned
* BUY WIC juice and WIC beans with your other WIC checks.
BUY:
4

Brands and types shown here only
4

100% juice, unsweetened
4

Can, carton or bottle size shown on check
4

With calcium and/or vitamin D OK
DO NOT BUY:
8
Less than 120% DV vitamin C
8
Glass bottles
8
Organic or fresh-squeezed
8
Fruit cocktail, punch, drink, or light
8
Shelf stable
Fruit Juice
Frozen Concentrate:
For Women
ORANGE
Any Brand
GRAPEFRUIT
Any Brand
PINEAPPLE
Dole,
Old Orchard
APPLE
Best Yet,
Essential
Everyday,
Food Lion,
Giant,
Great Value,
Hannaford,
My Essentials ,
Old Orchard
(with green
tear strip),
Safeway,
Seneca
GRAPE
Best Yet,
Old Orchard,
Welch’s
(with yellow
tear strip)
APPLE
Best Yet,
Essential
Everyday,
Food Lion,
Giant,
Giant Eagle,
Great Value,
Hannaford,
Market Pantry,
My Essentials,
Old Orchard,
Safeway,
Shop Rite,
Shurfine,
Valu Time,
Wegmans
GRAPE
(red, purple,
or white)
Best Yet,
Food Lion,
Giant,
Giant Eagle,
Harris Teeter,
Juicy Juice,
Old Orchard,
Valu Time,
Wegmans
VEGETABLE
Best Yet,
Diane’s Garden,
Giant,
Great Value,
Hannaford,
Harris Teeter,
V8
TOMATO
Campbell’s,
Food Lion,
Giant,
Great Value,
Hannaford,
Harris Teeter,
Market Pantry,
Shursaving
64 ounce Container: For Children
ORANGE, GRAPEFRUIT
Any brand
PINEAPPLE
Best Yet,
Food Lion,
Hannaford,
Shurfine
BUY:
4
Brands and types shown here only
4
1 pound or 15 to 16 ounce package
DO NOT BUY:
8 Organic
• Acme 100% Whole Wheat Bread
• Arnold Stone Ground 100% Whole Wheat
• Bimbo 100% Whole Wheat Bread
• Food Lion 100% Whole Wheat Sliced Bread
• Giant 100% Whole Wheat Bread
• Giant Eagle 100% Whole Wheat Bread
• Giant Stone Ground 100% Whole Wheat Bread
• Great Value 100% Whole Wheat Round Top Bread
• Harris Teeter 100% Whole Wheat Bread
• Mars 100% Whole Wheat Bread
• Nature’s Own 100% Whole Wheat 100% Whole Grain
Bread Sugar Free
• Pepperidge Farm Jewish Rye Bread Whole Grain Seeded
• Pepperidge Farm Stone Ground 100% Whole Wheat
Bread
• Roman Meal Round Top Bread
• Roman Meal Sungrain 100% Whole Wheat Bread
• Safeway Kitchens 100% Whole Wheat Bread
• Safeway 100% Whole Wheat Bread
• Sara Lee 100% Whole Wheat Bread
• Shopper’s 100% Whole Wheat Bread
• Shurfine 100% Whole Wheat Bread
• Weight Watchers 100% Whole Wheat Bread
• Wonder 100% Whole Wheat Bread
• Giant 100% Whole Wheat Hamburger Rolls
• Giant 100% Whole Wheat Hot Dog Rolls
• Nature’s Own 100% Whole Wheat Hot Dog Rolls
• Nature’s Own 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Rolls
• Schmidt Old Tyme Whole Grain 100% Whole Wheat
Sandwich Rolls
• Schmidt Old Tyme 100% Whole Grain White Wheat
Sandwich Rolls
• Schmidt Old Tyme Whole Grain 100% Whole Wheat
Hot Dog Rolls
• Schmidt Old Tyme 100% Whole Grain White Wheat
Flour Long Rolls
Indicates Whole Grain Food
Breads & Rolls
Breads
Rolls
BUY:
41 pound (16 ounce) package
• Buena Vida Whole Grain Tortillas
• Carlita Corn Tortillas or
100% Whole Wheat Tortillas
• Celia’s Corn Tortillas
• Chi-Chi’s White Corn Tortillas
• Don Pancho White Corn Tortillas
• La Burrita Yellow Corn Tortillas
• La Banderita Corn Tortillas
• Mission Yellow Corn or Whole Wheat Tortillas
• Ortega Whole Wheat Tortillas
DO NOT BUY:
8Fried corn tortillas, chips, tostadas, or taco shells
8White flour tortillas or with any added flavors
8Organic
BUY:
4Regular
4Store brand if available
41 pound (16 ounce) package
4Dry, plain
DO NOT BUY:
8Ready-to-serve or precooked in pouch
8Rice with added flavor, sauce, or vegetables
8Organic
Soft Corn & Whole Wheat Tortillas
Brown Rice
Healthy WIC foods like lowfat milk, eggs,
beans, whole wheat breads, breakfast cereals,
fruits and vegetables make your plate great!
BUY:
4
Brand, type, and size
shown on check
DO NOT BUY:
8
Organic formula
BUY:
4
Brand shown on check
4
Dry, 8 or 16 ounce container
DO NOT BUY:
8
Organic or with DHA, fruit, or formula
8
Jar or can
BUY:
4
Plain vegetables or
combination of vegetables
(example: carrots and yams)
4
Plain fruit or combination of fruits
(example: apples and bananas)
4
Store brand if available
4
Multi-packs OK (a 2 pack = 2 containers)
4
3.5 or 4 ounce container
DO NOT BUY:
8
Organic or with DHA
8
With meat, yogurt, cereal, pasta, or rice
8
Dinners, desserts, soups, stews, or diced
8
Pouches or smoothies
BUY IF PRINTED ON CHECK:
4
Plain chicken, turkey, beef, lamb,
veal, or ham
4
Store brand if available
4
With gravy or broth OK
4
2.5 ounce containter
DO NOT BUY:
8
Organic or with DHA
8
With added vegetables, fruit, rice, cereal, or pasta
8
Dinners, meat sticks, stews, or soups
8
Pouches
Infant Foods
Infant Formula
Infant Cereal
Infant Fruits & Vegetables
Infant Meat
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
Different Ways to Buy
Infant Fruits & Vegetables
16
0
9 4
2 8
21 0
14 4
7 8
0 12
22 0
15 4
8 8
1 12
If your
check says
64
ounces,
there are
3 ways
ways to make
64 ounces.
If your
check says
84
ounces,
there are
4 ways
ways to make
84 ounces.
If your
check says
88
ounces,
there are
4 ways
ways to make
88 ounces.
You can buy combinations of single 4 ounce
containers and 2 packs to get to the number
of ounces printed on your check.
SINGLES
2 PACK
SINGLES
2 PACK
SINGLES
2 PACK
or
Soy Beverage
QUESTIONS?
Ask your WIC staff or call the Maryland
WIC Office at 1-800-242-4942 or visit our
website at www.mdwic.org
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
BUY:
4

Brand and container size
shown on check
4

Half gallons (refrigerated):
•
8th Continent Original
•
Silk Original
4

Quarts
(shelf-stable):
•
Pacific Natural Foods
Ultra Soy Plain
•
8th Continent Soy Original
DO NOT BUY:
8
Any flavors
8
Light or fat-free
BUY:
4

Amount shown on check
4

12 to 16 ounce container
• Azumaya: Extra Firm, Firm, Silken, Lite Extra Firm
• House: Extra Firm, Firm, Medium Firm (Regular),
Soft (Silken)
• Nasoya: Extra Firm, Firm, Cubed, Soft, Silken,
Lite Firm, Lite Silken
DO NOT BUY:
8 With added sodium, flavoring, fat, or oil
Tofu
Martin O’ Malley, Governor
Anthony G. Brown, Lt. Governor
Joshua M. Sharfstein, M.D., Secretary, DHMH
C-02/10 14
Tofu