Minnesota families urged to join WIC to benefit from long-standing program offerings

Minnesota is one of the top five states in the nation for eligible families enrolling in the federal supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, known as WIC, and there are still about 61,000 Minnesota families who could benefit by signing up.  

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is encouraging these families to use WIC, which has successfully improved maternal and child outcomes for 50 years.

Minnesota WIC program helps pregnant women, new mothers, babies and young children get a healthy start through nutrition education, nutritious foods, breastfeeding and chestfeeding support and referrals to health and social services in their community.  

The WIC food benefit includes milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, whole grains, cereal, peanut butter, beans and more. It also includes $26-$52 monthly for participants to buy fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables.

Families can apply for WIC online. Pregnant women, parents – including foster parents and guardians – with an infant or child younger than age 5 can apply. Families must be income eligible to apply and live in Minnesota. Families do not need to be a U.S. citizen to receive benefits. Families who are already participating in programs like Medical Assistance or SNAP are automatically income eligible. 

Minnesota WIC currently covers 61.5% of eligible WIC families, an average of 106,000 women, infants and children monthly in 2023. Nearly 92% of eligible Minnesota infants received WIC benefits in 2022. 

Learn more about the Minnesota WIC program and see if your family qualifies at health.state.mn.us/people/wic/index.html.