District of Columbia WIC is open COVID Expanded Food Choices

DC WIC COVID-19 Expanded Food List

Effective 4/22/2020 until 9/30/2020

DC WIC has temporarily expanded its food list in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) emergency to ensure WIC participants and their families have the food they need to stay healthy. The information below shows only the NEW FOODS that WIC participants can buy.

Instructions for WIC participants:
1) Refer to the food list in your WIC ID folder when shopping for a specific food item.
2) If you cannot find a food item at the store, review the list below of additional foods you can purchase with your WIC checks.
3)The foods listed below should only be purchased if an item written on your check is not available at the store
4) Contact your local WIC site if you have any questions: dcwic.org/wic-locations

Bread

New Foods

20 oz, 24 oz & 32 oz. loaves of 100% Whole Wheat Bread

Notes About Buying

20 oz & 24 oz loaf of bread count as 1 whole grain choice
32 oz loaf of bread will count as 2 whole grain choices
Approved brands listed in WIC ID folder

Pasta

New Foods

32 oz. package of 100% Whole Wheat Pasta

Notes About Buying

32 oz.box of pasta will count as 2 whole grain choices
Approved brands listed in WIC ID folder

Cows Milk

New Foods

Any container sizes of milk (quart, half gallon & gallon)

Any % fat milk

Organic cow’s milk

Notes About Buying

Mix & match container sizes regardless of container size listed on check (Ex: Can buy 4 quarts of 1% milk instead of 1 gallon)
Buy any % fat milk (non-fat, 1%, 2%, whole) regardless of % fat listed on check
Buy no more than the total amount of milk listed on check
Type of milk (fluid, powdered, evaporated) must match what is listed on check

New Foods

Substitutions (if cow’s milk is not available)

Plain kefir
Goat milk

Notes About Buying

All brands, including organic

New Foods

Cheese

Notes About Buying

Buy 1 lb. cheese in place of 3 quarts milk or 2 lbs. cheese in place of 6 quarts milk

Yogurt

New Foods

All container sizes of yogurt

Any % fat yogurt

Greek yogurt

Organic Greek or regular yogurt

Notes About Buying

Mix & match container sizes regardless of container size listed on check (Ex: Can buy five 6 oz. containers instead of one 32 oz. containerBuy no more than total amount of yogurt listed on check
Buy any % fat yogurt (non-fat, 2%, whole), regardless of % fat listed on check
All yogurt must be plain (no flavored yogurt)
Buy no more than the total amount of yogurt listed on check

Soy Milk

New Foods

Gallon containers of soy milk

All brands of soy milk

Unsweetened flavored soy milk

Organic soy milk

Notes About Buying

Mix & match container sizes regardless of container size listed on check
Buy no more than the total amount of soy milk listed on check

Cheese

New Foods

24 oz, 38 oz, 48 oz packages of cheese

24-pack or 28-pack of cheese sticks

Organic cheese

Notes About Buying

24 oz or larger packages should only be used with multiple checks
Can buy 24-pack or 28-pack cheese sticks in place of 16 oz of cheese
Can buy block, shredded, cubed, sliced or sticks
Buy no more than the total amount of cheese listed on check

Eggs

New Foods

All egg sizes (medium, large, XL)

All carton sizes (6, 12, 18, 24 eggs)

All egg colors (white or brown)

Hardboiled eggs

Organic eggs

Notes About Buying

Buy the total number of eggs listed on check
Can buy 18-count carton in place of 12-count carton
24-count cartons must be purchased with multiple checks, unless ‘two dozen eggs’ is written on your check
Cannot buy eggs with added omega-3’s

Beans

New Foods

All sodium levels of canned beans

Organic beans

Notes About Buying

Buy the total amount of beans listed on check

Peanut Butter

New Foods

Full-fat peanut butter (all brands)

Organic peanut butter

Notes About Buying

Buy the total amount of peanut butter listed on check
Buy chunky, creamy, or crunchy
Only peanut butter, no blends

Juice

New Foods

59 oz container

12 oz, 16 oz, 46 oz containers

Notes About Buying

Approved brands listed in WIC ID folder
Can buy 59 oz container in place of 64 oz container or 16 oz frozen can
Can buy 12 oz, 16 oz, or 46 oz container in place of 48 oz or 64 oz container
Buy total amount of juice listed on check

Canned Fish

New Foods

2.5 oz and 2.6 oz cans

Organic canned fish

Notes About Buying

Can buy chunk light tuna, pink salmon, jack mackerel, or sardines
Buy total amount of canned fish listed on check

Baby Food Vegetables & Fruit

New Foods

2 oz. containers

4 oz. pouches

Organic baby fruits & vegetables

Notes About Buying

Buy plain vegetables & fruit
Buy combinations of vegetables or fruit (example: peas & carrots, apples & pears) but not vegetables mixed with fruit

*Additional Organic Foods

New Foods

Organic brown rice, organic barley

Organic canned fish, organic baby food meat

Organic fruits & vegetables (canned, fresh, frozen)

Notes About Buying

Buy any brand
Follow instructions in WIC ID folder for specific items

Note about WIC Formula: If a WIC participant is having trouble finding the formula listed on their check, they should speak to the store manager to see when shipments are scheduled and whether items (such as formula) can be put on hold for them.

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This institution is an equal opportunity provider.