WIC program: An investment for healthier families Published Jan. 12, 2012 By Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Taking care of service members and their families is essential for mission success and it enhances morale ensuring overall health and well-being. One program that provides help to both civilian and military families is the WIC program which was established to provide assistance to pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, and infants, and children up to age five when a family meets the income guidelines. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, initiatives similar to the WIC program first began in the early 1960s in response to a growing public concern about malnutrition among underprivileged mothers and children. Ever since its official establishment as a permanent program in 1975, the program has grown more and more throughout the years, expanding services to people all over the country. The program is most commonly known for providing supplemental food assistance. WIC provides income eligible families with food vouchers for products such as fruits, vegetables, milk, cheese, whole grains, eggs, cereal, peanut butter, infant formula and baby food among other goods. The program however, is not just limited to providing food vouchers but can offer healthcare referrals, nutrition education, and breastfeeding promotion and support to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women who meet the income guidelines. "Studies show that the proper nutrition WIC children receive helps them enter school ready to learn," said Colleen Pearce, North Dakota Department of Health WIC program director. "WIC is a cost-effective, sound investment that helps ensure the health of our children." To be eligible for the WIC program, families must reside in North Dakota, meet income guidelines, and have a nutritional health risk. This includes pregnant women, new mothers up to six months after giving birth, breastfeeding mothers up to one year after giving birth, and parents, guardians and caretakers who have an infant or child younger than 5 years of age. Local WIC staff at Minot AFB can provide assistance in finding out eligibility status and can be contacted at 723-2118. For more information about the WIC program visit http://www.ndhealth.gov/wic/.