WIC Food List 2026: Approved Foods, Monthly Amounts and Changes

Quick answer: The WIC food list covers milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, cereal, whole grains, beans, peanut butter, canned fish and juice. It also includes a monthly dollar amount for fruits and vegetables, plus formula and baby food for infants.¹ Federal rules set the standards and amounts, and your state picks the exact brands and sizes.²

From October 1, 2026, the fruit and vegetable benefit is $27 a month for children, $48 for pregnant and postpartum participants, and $53 for breastfeeding participants.³ For eligibility and how to sign up, see our complete WIC guide.

What foods are on the WIC food list?

Every state's list is built from the same federal categories. Each WIC participant gets one of seven food packages, matched to their life stage, and uses the eWIC card to buy the foods in that package.¹ The table shows the federal rules each food must meet.²

Food	What qualifies	Not allowed
Milk	Unflavored cow's milk; lactose-free must be offered; dry and evaporated count	Flavored milk
Cheese	Domestic cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack, Swiss, mozzarella, Muenster, provolone, brick, American	Imported specialty cheese
Yogurt	Plain or flavored, 16 g or less added sugar per 8 oz	Drinkable yogurt, granola or candy mix-ins
Breakfast cereal	Hot or cold, iron-fortified, 6 g or less added sugar per ounce	Higher-sugar cereals
Whole grains	Whole wheat or whole grain bread, brown rice, oats, whole wheat pasta, corn or whole wheat tortillas	Grains with added sugar, fat or salt
Eggs	Fresh hen's eggs, dried egg mix, pasteurized liquid eggs	—
Beans and peanut butter	Any dry or canned mature beans, peas or lentils; creamy or chunky peanut butter	Bean soups; peanut butter with honey, jelly or chocolate
Canned fish	Light tuna, salmon, sardines, mackerel, in water or oil	King mackerel
Juice	100% unsweetened juice high in vitamin C	Juice drinks with added sugar
Fruits and vegetables	Fresh, plus at least one of frozen, canned or dried	Added sugar, sauces, salad bar items
Infant foods	Infant cereal, single-ingredient baby fruits, vegetables and meats	Baby dinners and desserts

Source: 7 CFR 246.10, Table 4.²

How much WIC food do you get each month?

The amount depends on who is in your household. These are the federal maximums for children and adults, before your WIC clinic tailors them.² Milk is higher than usual right now because Congress kept a temporary increase in place until December 11, 2026.⁴

Food (per month)	Child, age 1–4	Pregnant or postpartum	Breastfeeding
Milk (through Dec. 11, 2026)	16 quarts	22 quarts pregnant, 16 postpartum	22 quarts partly, 24 fully
Breakfast cereal	36 oz	36 oz	36 oz
Juice	64 fl oz	64 fl oz	64 fl oz
Eggs	1 dozen	1 dozen	1 dozen partly, 2 fully
Fruits and vegetables	$27	$48	$53
Whole grains	24 oz	48 oz	48 oz
Canned fish	6 oz	10 oz	15 oz partly, 20 fully
Beans and peanut butter	1 lb dry beans, 64 oz canned beans or 18 oz peanut butter	Beans and 18 oz peanut butter if pregnant; beans or peanut butter if postpartum	Beans and 18 oz peanut butter

Source: 7 CFR 246.10, Table 2,² with fruit and vegetable amounts for October 2026 to September 2027³ and the temporary milk amounts.⁴ Once the milk increase ends, the regulation's amounts return: 12 quarts for 1-year-olds, 14 quarts for children 2 to 4, and 16 quarts for adults.²

Postpartum means up to 6 months after birth if you are not breastfeeding. Partly and fully breastfeeding participants can stay on WIC for up to 1 year after birth.²

How much is the WIC fruit and vegetable benefit in 2026–2027?

The fruit and vegetable benefit, called the cash-value benefit (CVB), is a dollar amount you spend on produce. USDA raises it each October for inflation, and these amounts run from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027.³

• Children 1 to 4: $27 a month, up $1 from last year.³
• Pregnant and postpartum participants: $48 a month, no change.³
• Breastfeeding participants: $53 a month, up $1.³
• Juice swap: you can trade all 64 ounces of juice for an extra $3 of produce.³
• Babies 6 to 11 months: some states let you trade half or all of the jarred baby fruits and vegetables for $11 or $22 of fresh produce.³

You can spend the benefit on any fresh fruit or vegetable without added sugar, and states must allow organic produce.² States must also allow at least one other form: frozen, canned or dried.² Fresh herbs, frozen beans, salsa and plain tomato sauce count.²

The benefit does not cover dried herbs, spices, nuts, salad bar items, pickles, olives, soups, ketchup, decorative gourds, or produce sold with dips or glazes.² In Washington, you can also use it at farmers markets and farm stores all year.⁵

What changed on the WIC food list in 2026?

USDA published new food package rules on April 18, 2024. States had until April 20, 2026, to put most of them in place, so 2026 is the first year every state's list follows them.⁶ The main changes:

• Less juice: everyone now gets 64 ounces, down from 128 for children and 144 for pregnant and breastfeeding participants.¹
• Canned fish for more people: all children get 6 ounces, and pregnant and postpartum participants get 10.¹
• More grain choices: quinoa, wild rice, millet, cornmeal, whole wheat pita, English muffins, bagels and naan were added.¹
• Less sugar: yogurt is capped at 16 grams of added sugar per 8 ounces, and plant-based milks at 10 grams.¹
• Yogurt vitamin D rule: yogurt must have added vitamin D by April 19, 2027.⁶
• Milk: the rule lowered milk amounts, but Congress has kept the older, higher amounts in place until December 11, 2026.⁴

More changes may come. USDA has told states that the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines do not change WIC rules right away.⁷ It did urge states to make the $3 produce swap the default instead of juice and to set lower sugar limits.⁷

Which cereals are WIC approved?

A WIC-approved cereal must have at least 28 mg of iron per 100 grams and no more than 6 grams of added sugar per dry ounce.² At least 75% of the cereals on your state's list must have a whole grain as the first ingredient.² Hot cereals such as oatmeal count too.²

Brands vary by state. New York's list, for example, includes Cheerios, Kix, Wheat Chex, Rice Krispies, Original Frosted Mini-Wheats and Quaker Life, plus store brands from Great Value, Food Club and others.⁸ It also shows how to reach your full 36 ounces by mixing box sizes, such as 12 + 24 ounces or 18 + 18 ounces.⁸

Infant cereal is a separate food for babies 6 to 11 months. It must have at least 45 mg of iron per 100 grams and no added formula, milk or fruit.²

What yogurt and milk does WIC cover?

WIC covers unflavored milk, and every state must offer lactose-free milk.² Whole milk is the standard for children 12 to 23 months.² Children 2 and older and adults get low-fat (1%) or nonfat milk; 2% is only for people with certain health needs.²

Yogurt is a swap for part of your milk. You can trade 1 quart of milk for 1 quart of yogurt, up to 2 quarts.² Yogurt can be plain or flavored, but it cannot be drinkable or come with granola or candy toppings.² For children 2 and older and adults, only low-fat or nonfat yogurt is allowed.²

Your state decides which yogurt brands qualify. New York, for example, allows 32-ounce containers of brands such as Chobani, Dannon, Oikos and Stonyfield in listed varieties.⁸

Other dairy swaps:

• Cheese: 1 pound of cheese for 3 quarts of milk, up to 1 pound a month (2 pounds if fully breastfeeding).²
• Tofu: 1 pound for each quart of milk, if your clinic tailors your package.²
• Soy and other plant-based milks: a state option, if fortified and 10 grams or less added sugar per cup.²

Which whole grains does WIC cover?

Every state must offer whole wheat or whole grain bread.² Whole wheat bread can list only whole wheat flour, and whole grain bread must be at least 50% whole grains.²

States may also allow these instead of bread, with no added sugar, fat or salt:²

• Brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, bulgur, oats, barley and millet
• Whole wheat pasta
• Soft corn or whole wheat tortillas, cornmeal and corn masa flour
• Whole wheat pita, English muffins, bagels and naan

What protein foods are on the WIC list?

• Eggs: fresh hen's eggs, dried egg mix or pasteurized liquid eggs.²
• Beans: any dry or canned mature beans, peas or lentils, including refried beans, without added fat, sugar or meat.² Green beans and green peas are bought with the produce benefit instead.²
• Peanut butter: creamy or chunky, regular or reduced fat. Some states also allow other nut and seed butters.²
• Canned fish: light tuna, salmon, sardines and mackerel. King mackerel is not allowed.²

What formula and baby food does WIC provide?

WIC gives formula from one company per state. Each state signs a single-supplier contract with the formula maker that offers the largest discount.⁹ On USDA's current list, Abbott holds the contract in most states, and Mead Johnson holds it in 12 states and territories, including California, Texas, New York and Georgia.⁹

In practice, Abbott states issue Similac products, such as Similac Advance and Similac Sensitive in Washington.¹⁰ Mead Johnson states issue Enfamil; New York's standard formula is Enfamil Infant.¹¹ A different brand needs a note from a licensed health care provider for a medical reason.² All WIC formula must have at least 10 mg of iron per liter.²

Babies 6 to 11 months also get baby food. The monthly amounts are:²

Baby food (per month)	Formula fed or partly breastfed	Fully breastfed
Infant cereal	8 oz	16 oz
Baby fruits and vegetables	128 oz	128 oz
Baby meat	None	40 oz

If WIC formula runs short, our guide to free baby formula lists other options. In PantryPath's directory, 445 of 7,566 confirmed food pantries list baby formula and food.¹²

What can't you buy with WIC?

WIC benefits buy only the foods in your food package.¹ Common items that do not qualify:

• Flavored milk, drinkable yogurt, and yogurt with candy or granola toppings.²
• Juice drinks and juice with added sugar.²
• Soups, baked beans with meat, and beans with added fat or sugar.²
• Baby food dinners such as spaghetti and meatballs, and baby desserts.²
• Muffins and other baked goods made with fruit.²
• Diapers, wipes and other non-food items.¹

States can add their own limits. New York's card, for example, rules out organic cereal, organic cheese, jumbo eggs and albacore tuna.⁸

Where is your state's WIC food list?

Use your state's list for exact brands and sizes. We checked each link below on October 24, 2026, and added the formula company from USDA's contract list.⁹

State	Official food list	Formula contract
Arizona	Arizona WIC Food List	Abbott
California	2026 Shopping Guide	Mead Johnson
Florida	Florida WIC Foods	Abbott
Georgia	WIC Approved Foods List	Mead Johnson
Illinois	Authorized WIC Food List	Abbott
Louisiana	WIC Food Guide	Abbott
Michigan	WIC Foods	Abbott
New York	WIC Approved Foods and Formulas	Mead Johnson
North Carolina	WIC-Approved Foods	Abbott
Ohio	Authorized Foods List	Mead Johnson
Oregon	WIC Food List	Abbott
Pennsylvania	PA WIC Food List	Abbott
Tennessee	WIC Shopping Guide	Abbott
Texas	WIC Foods and Recipes	Mead Johnson
Virginia	Food Packages and Infant Formula	Abbott
Washington	WIC Foods	Abbott

Source: state WIC agency pages, checked October 24, 2026; formula contracts from USDA.⁹ For other states, open your state's page in our WIC guide.

How do you shop with your WIC shopping list?

1. Check your balance first. Your WIC app or your last receipt shows what is left and the date your benefits end.¹³
2. Match brand and size exactly. Not every item on the shelf is WIC approved, so buy the brands and sizes on your state's list.⁵
3. Know which foods are brand-specific. In Georgia, bread, tortillas, cereal, yogurt, tofu, soy milk and baby foods are listed by brand, while produce, milk, eggs, cheese, beans, peanut butter and fish can be the least expensive or any brand.¹⁴
4. Scan before checkout. The WICShopper app checks whether an item is on your state's list.⁵
5. Pay the rest another way. Pay for anything WIC does not cover with SNAP or another payment.¹³ Our SNAP vs WIC guide explains how the two work together.
6. Use it before it ends. Any foods left on your card expire on the last day of the benefit period.¹³

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you buy organic food with WIC?

Yes for fruits and vegetables. Federal rules require every state to allow organic produce with the fruit and vegetable benefit.² For other foods it depends on your state; New York, for example, does not allow organic cereal, eggs or peanut butter.⁸

Can you get whole milk on WIC?

Yes, for children 12 to 23 months, where whole milk is the standard.² Older children and adults get low-fat or nonfat milk unless a WIC assessment shows a need for 2%.² USDA has encouraged clinics to prescribe higher-fat milk where the rules allow it.⁷

Do WIC benefits roll over to the next month?

No. Foods left on your card expire on the last day of the benefit period.¹³ Until then, you can buy as much as you want, on as many trips as you want.¹³

What age does WIC food stop?

WIC serves children up to age 5.¹ Breastfeeding participants can get WIC food for up to 1 year after birth, and postpartum participants who are not breastfeeding for up to 6 months.² To check whether your family qualifies, see what to expect at your first WIC appointment.

Does WIC cover diapers?

No. WIC benefits buy only the foods in your food package.¹ In PantryPath's directory, 1,332 of 7,566 confirmed food pantries list diapers and baby supplies.¹²

Does WIC cover PediaSure?

Sometimes. New York lists PediaSure as a supplement product for women and children, and it requires medical documentation from a health care provider.¹¹ Ask your WIC clinic what your state allows.

What food does WIC give pregnant women?

Each month, a pregnant participant can get up to 36 ounces of cereal, 64 ounces of juice, 1 dozen eggs and 48 ounces of whole grains.² The package adds 10 ounces of canned fish, beans and peanut butter,² and $48 for produce.³ Milk is 22 quarts a month through December 11, 2026.⁴ Our guide to food help during pregnancy covers other programs.

How we checked this

On October 24, 2026, we read the WIC food package rule in the eCFR (7 CFR 246.10) and USDA's food package page. We used USDA policy memos for the 2026–2027 fruit and vegetable amounts, the temporary milk amounts, the 2024 rule's deadlines and the 2026 Dietary Guidelines memo. Formula contracts come from USDA's contract list, and brand examples come from the New York and Washington WIC programs.

We opened every state link in the table on the same day and confirmed it loads an official food list. Directory counts come from PantryPath's 7,566 confirmed listings, queried October 24, 2026.¹² Amounts here are federal maximums; your clinic sets your actual package, and your state's list decides brands.

Your next step: confirm your family qualifies on our WIC guide, then find a food pantry for food WIC doesn't cover.