WIC increases benefits with extra funding

California Women, Infants and Children (WIC) families will see a temporary increase in their monthly WIC fruits and vegetables benefit to $35.

Currently, children ages one to five receive $9 per month, and pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women receive $11 per month, but that changed on Tuesday.

Funding from the American Rescue Plan Act allowed the California WIC program to enhance the program’s fruits and vegetables benefit for the summer.

The fruits and vegetables benefit has a significant impact on the dietary quality of WIC families. Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables reduces the prevalence of chronic disease and strengthens the immune system. This increased benefit will allow families enrolled in the WIC program to buy and consume more healthy fruits and vegetables.

The fruit and vegetables benefit increase will be issued from June 1, through September 30. Benefits are good for 30 days from the date they are issued. For example, benefits issued on September 27 can still be used through October 26.

Beginning in June, WIC families will also receive the annual Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program checks, a booklet of $28 for use at certified Farmers Markets. The checks are issued in addition to regular WIC benefits between June and July for the purpose of buying fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs from WIC farmers at local farmers’ market such as the Neighborhood Farmers Market held at Madera Community Hospital.

Madera County residents can learn more about the summer fruit and vegetable increase and the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program by going to MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov or WICFarmers.ca.gov. Visitwww.maderacounty.com/WIC to learn more about Madera County’s WIC program and benefits.