WIC & Lactation Support in North Carolina

To help participants to adopt and practice healthy eating and nutrition habits, WIC provides:

Access to Basic Nutritious Foods 
WIC provides basic nutritious foods to eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, as well as infants and children. These foods are rich in protein, iron, calcium, fiber, and vitamins.

Participants are issued an NC eWIC card at their initial visit to access food benefits at authorized retail grocery stores and pharmacies.

• Basic Nutritious Foods for Infants (Birth – 12 Months) (Spanish)
• Basic Nutritious Foods for Women and Children (Spanish)
• Additional Foods for Women Who Exclusively Breastfeed (Spanish)

Nutrition Education
Nutrition education is a major benefit of the WIC Program and is provided to all adults and, whenever possible, to children directly. The goals of nutrition education are:

• To teach about the relationship between nutrition, physical activity, and good health.
• To improve eating and physical activity habits as they relate to the participant’s nutritional risk.
• To promote optimal use of the WIC Program’s supplemental foods and other nutritious foods.
• To provide nutrition education that is appropriate to an individual’s age, educational background, household situation, language, cultural and ethnic preferences, and nutritional needs.

Health Care Referrals
WIC works closely with doctors and other care professionals in the healthcare system. This relationship allows the program to receive and provide recommendations to families as well as refer them to healthcare providers and other health and social services. Referrals from WIC include immunizations and substance abuse counseling and treatment. WIC encourages persons already receiving medical services to remain under their physicians’ care. It also encourages individuals not receiving medical care to seek and maintain appropriate care.

Breastfeeding Promotion and Support
Breastfeeding promotion and support are integral parts of the WIC Program. WIC wants to help more moms start breastfeeding, do it for a longer time, and breastfeed exclusively if that’s what they choose. WIC also instructs mothers on the basics of breastfeeding and many WIC agencies have breastfeeding peer counselor support programs for mother-to-mother counseling. In addition, all local WIC agencies provide breastfeeding aids such as manual and electric breast pumps. WIC offers a food package for women who exclusively breastfeed their babies.

Call or visit one of our convenient locations or apply through the NCDHHS website today.

North Carolina WIC Families – Referral Form | NCDHHS

• Eligibility review: A WIC representative will review your proof of income, household, and identity to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria.
  • Proof of identification (for all individuals applying for WIC) (Spanish)
  • Proof of income (for all household members with income) (Spanish)
  • Proof of residence (where you live) (Spanish)
• Health assessment: You will be weighed, measured, and have your iron status checked 
• Nutrition counseling: A certified nutritionist will provide personalized advice on healthy eating habits, breastfeeding, and infant and child feeding 
• Health and nutrition discussion: You will have the opportunity to discuss your health and nutrition concerns 
• Referrals: You may be referred to other medical care and services 
• Education: You will receive monthly benefits and education to help you with your food budget 
• eWIC card: You will receive an eWIC (debit) card to use at the store for WIC-approved foods 
• More information: My WIC | NCDHHS

You may also be interested in services and resources provided by these partners:

• Food and Nutrition Services in North Carolina (SNAP – FNS) A program that helps eligible people with limited incomes supplement their budgets so they can purchase food.
• NC Medicaid Health coverage to eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities. Learn about eligibility and how to apply. 
• NCCARE360 Resources Get connected to additional services and assistance through the first statewide network that unites health care and human services organizations.
• Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) A broadband discount program that helps to connect families struggling to afford internet service. WIC participants are automatically eligible for the ACP.
• Information for Non-Citizen Communities and FNS Programs If you are a non-citizen, you and your family members may be eligible to participate in several programs operated by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

Local WIC Agencies must take reasonable steps to ensure that people with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) have meaningful access to the programs, services, and information agencies provide.

Limited English Proficiency | NCDHHS