CDPH Announces Expanded Food Choices for WIC Participants

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recently announced that Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food benefits have been updated to expand access to healthy foods and offer greater flexibility to WIC families. The updates are being implemented in response to a United States Department of Agriculture 2024 final rule that incorporated recommendations from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  

California’s updated WIC food benefits now include more whole-grain options, additional yogurt flavors, and plant-based milk alternatives. Participants will also have greater access to canned fish and can use their fruit and vegetable benefits to buy fresh herbs. These revisions are intended to support healthier diets, improve nutrition security, and better meet the needs of Californians enrolled in WIC. 

Additional information on California’s WIC program, including the latest updates and resources, can be found at CDPH’s WIC website.