Family Service WIC to Include Similac Brand Formulas in Infant Food Packages
As of January 1, Family Service WIC (familyservicelincoln.org/wic-women-infants-children), locally and nationwide, will be contracting with Similac Brand to include Similac Brand Formulas in their infant food packages. For at least 15 years, WIC has contracted with Enfamil to provide formula in infant packages. Family Service WIC has approximately 280 infants on formula in a given month. Staff has worked hard to contact all clients who this will affect, provide extra education related to the transition, and change food package benefits for each of those clients, all within about 60 days’ notice.
Any organizations that also work with the WIC (women, infants, children) population may find this important as they provide education and community resources to similar clients. It’s important for other organizations that may be working with WIC clientele to be aware of the change so they are providing accurate information to clients (hospitals, clinics, pediatrician offices, early childhood education agencies).
Family Service WIC provides healthy foods at no cost to eligible participants in order to help keep pregnant women, infants, children up to age five, breastfeeding moms up to one year, and postpartum moms up to six months, healthy. To be eligible for WIC, a person must meet one of the above requirements, have identification, and proof of address and income. (See income guidelines: dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/WIC-About.aspx.) Individuals who participate in other programs such as SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) may automatically be income-eligible for WIC. To learn more, visit familyservicelincoln.org/wic-women-infants-children, visit the Facebook page (@FamilyServiceWIC), or contact Kayla Abel, MS, RD, LMNT at (402) 904-5564 / kabel@familyservicelincoln.org.