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| 1. Besides free food, what else does the WIC Program offer? |
| 2. Which foods can you purchase with WIC vouchers? |
| 3. Which foods does the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) offer? |
| 4. What are some benefits of being enrolled in CSFP? |
| 5. How can I get Farmers' Market Coupons? |
| 6. Where can I use Farmers' Market Coupons? |
| 7. How much folic acid does a woman need to consume everyday? |
| 8. Where can I get folic acid? |
| 9. Why breastfeed? |
| 10. How do I know if my baby is getting enough breastmilk? |
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| 1. Besides free food, what else does the WIC Program offer? | Back to top |
The WIC program offers counseling about the use of WIC supplied foods to improve health; health and immunization screenings and referrals; tips on food shopping, recipes, and healthy meals; support for breastfeeding mothers and infants; and guidelines on folic acid rich foods for women of childbearing age. |
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| 2. Which foods can you purchase with WIC vouchers? | Back to top |
Milk, cheese, eggs, fruit juice, cereal, peanut butter, dried beans and peas, iron-fortified infant formula, carrots and tuna fish (for breastfeeding women). Starting in October 2009, WIC families will also receive fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, and canned), wholegrain bread and other grains, and baby foods (fruits, vegetables, and cereal). Call WIC at 1-800-WIC-4321 for more information or ask at your local WIC office. |
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| 3. Which foods does the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) offer? | Back to top |
Canned meats, fruits, vegetables, juices, peanut butter, pasta, cereal and cheese. |
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| 4. What are some benefits of being enrolled in CSFP? | Back to top |
Healthy foods are provided at no cost. Nutrition information for yourself and other participating family members as well as referrals for health care are provided. |
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| 5. How can I get Farmers' Market Coupons? | Back to top |
All adults, children, seniors and infants who will be age 1 before October receive a packet of coupons if they are enrolled in WIC or CSFP. Participants also receive a free cookbook filled wtih fresh fruit and vegetable recipes. |
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| 6. Where can I use Farmers' Market Coupons? | Back to top |
There are currently over 30 Farmers' Markets throughout NH that accept Farmers' Market coupons. A list is available through WIC and CSFP. |
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| 7. How much folic acid does a woman need to consume everyday? | Back to top |
All women of childbearing age should take a multivitamin containing 400 mg. of folic acid everyday even if they are not planning a pregnancy. This is because half of all pregnancies are unplanned and folic acid can help prevent the risk of certain birth defects that occur very early on in pregnancy, before most women even know they are pregnant. |
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| 8. Where can I get folic acid? | Back to top |
| Many cereals are fortified with folic acid, as are grain products (bread, pasta, rice). Folate, a naturally occurring form of folic acid, can be found in green vegetables, orange juice, beans and peanut butter. Women should still consume a multivitamin as food sources of folate are not absorbed as well by the body as the multivitamin. |
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| 9. Why breastfeed? | Back to top |
Breastmilk transfers antibodies to an infant and helps protect an infant from illness. Research indicates breastfed babies have fewer colds and ear infections, have the flu less or less severe and have fewer allergies. Breastfeeding benefits a mother by helping the uterus return to normal size more quickly and also helps reduce the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis. |
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| 10. How do I know if my baby is getting enough breastmilk? | Back to top |
In the first few months your baby needs to nurse 8-12 times in a 24-hour period. Before your milk "comes in", your baby should pass at least 1-2 black stools and have 1-2 wet diapers in a day. After your milk "comes in", your baby will have 3 or more yellow, seedy loose stools per day and by day 5-6, you should see 5-6 wet diapers a day and thereafter 6-8 wet diapers per day. |
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