WIC expanding options at the grocery store across Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Families and children across the State of Illinois now have more choices at the grocery store after the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) expanded its food package offerings.

Every year, the USDA reviews the most up to date recommendations, then WIC implements those changes.

The Champaign Urbana Public Health District’s WIC coordinator, Christine Madden, said that instead of having to choose between peanut butter and beans at the health department,
or between a certain kind of milk, families can now choose for themselves at the store.

Madden added that Champaign County WIC serves just under 3,000 people, so she’s grateful to see these changes for her clients.

“Families having the option to make some different choices for for what’s specific to them is very important because it shows that we know people have different dynamics in their family. We know that cultures are different. We know we live in a very diverse community, and so people want to have the ability to make those decisions for their family,” Madden said.

She added that CUPHD is currently taking on more WIC clients. If you think you qualify, she said to call or come and see them. You can learn more about how to contact the health district on their website.

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