WIC in Vermont

WIC Information for Health Care Providers

In October 2009, the Vermont Department of Health WIC Program will implement much anticipated changes in the food packages provided to our families. The new food packages align with current nutrition recommendations and support the key messages: eat more fruits and vegetables, increase whole grains and fiber, lower saturated fat and cholesterol, drink less juice, and breastfeed your baby.

Changes to the WIC food packages:

  • Addition of fruits and vegetables
  • Addition of whole grain bread and brown rice
  • Substitution of fortified soy beverage or tofu for milk
  • Skim or 1% milk for children over age 2 and women (whole milk for 1 year olds)
  • Replacement of juice for infants with baby fruits and vegetables

To better promote and support the establishment of successful long-term breastfeeding, the largest amount and greatest variety of food is provided to mothers and babies who exclusively breastfeed. For mothers who choose to supplement or only use formula, WIC’s contract for standard infant formula continues to be with Abbott Nutrition which provides Similac and Isomil. 

Infants with qualifying medical conditions who may need special formula will require a physician’s prescription using the new Medical Documentation Form.

Changes to documentation requirements:

  • All babies who require a special formula will need medical documentation every 6 months.
  • A child or woman who requires special formula will need medical documentation.
  • Children and women who require a special formula will also now be eligible for a full WIC food package, but will need medical documentation to receive the food.
  • Children who are lactose intolerant or consume a vegetarian diet may receive tofu or fortified soy beverage with medical documentation.
  • Women who are lactose intolerant or consume a vegetarian diet may substitute additional tofu and/or cheese with medical documentation.
Medical Documentation Forms:

Additional Resources for Providers

Poster: There's a Dream in all of us....Feed it.
Outreach posters for WIC, available to post in your practice and share with families needing a referral.

Feeding Guides
Jointly developed by the American Acadmy of Pediatrics - Vermont Chapter and the Vermont WIC Program, the feeding guide series contains nutrition information and samples menus for children up to 5 years old. Feeding guides may be downloaded and reproduced for use in your practice.

Growth Charts
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts consist of a series of percentile curves that illustrate the distribution of selected body measurements in U.S. children. Growth charts are available free of charge from the Vermont Department of Health.

Vermont Fit WIC
The primary goal of Fit WIC Vermont is to increase active physical playtime and decrease sedentary time for three and four year olds. An activity guide for parents is structured around the Fit WIC Activity Pyramid, which offers recommendations for both unstructured and structured playtime and specific information about activity resources within the community for family outings. The book promotes the role of parents as their child's first and most important teacher, and offers parents the skills and confidence needed to successfully take on this role. The book also provides information on the relationship between cognitive and physical development, ideas for incorporating physical activity into everyday routines, and specific skill-building activities designed to enhance physical development and learning.

WIC Works
WIC Works is a national online resource for health and nutrition professionals working with families participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). WIC Works includes professional training modules, state developed educational materials for families and a database of WIC-eligible formula.

Resources for Clinicians
The Vermont Department of Health provides a variety of best practice guidelines and toolkits for health care providers, including guidelines for promoting healthy weight in adults and children, and guidelines for preventive primary care.