WIC Approved Foods List: What You Can Buy in 2026

The WIC program provides specific foods designed to meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under 5. Each participant receives a food package tailored to their category — and the approved food list has expanded significantly in recent years to include more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Here's exactly what you can buy with WIC benefits.

How WIC Food Benefits Work

WIC benefits are loaded onto an eWIC card (electronic WIC) — a card that works like a debit card at authorized grocery stores. Your card is loaded monthly with specific quantities of approved foods. You can only purchase the exact items, brands, and sizes authorized by your state WIC program.

Key facts:

Benefits are loaded monthly on your assigned date
Unused benefits do not roll over — use them before the end of each benefit period
You can split purchases across multiple shopping trips
Look for "WIC Approved" shelf tags in the store to identify eligible items

WIC Approved Foods by Category

Fruits & Vegetables (Cash Value Benefit)

WIC provides a monthly Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables — fresh, frozen, canned, or dried. The 2026 amounts are:

Pregnant/postpartum women: $47/month
Breastfeeding women (fully): $49/month
Children (ages 1-4): $26/month

You can buy ANY fruit or vegetable — organic included. Excluded: dried fruits with added sugar, vegetables with added sauces/seasonings, items from salad bars, and decorative items (pumpkins for carving).

Milk & Dairy

Milk: whole (for children 12-23 months), low-fat or fat-free (for women and children 2+)
Cheese: block, sliced, or shredded (1 lb/month typical) — pasteurized, no imported specialty cheeses
Yogurt: 32 oz/month (some states) — no added toppings
Soy milk: approved alternative if medically necessary or by preference

Cereal & Grains

Breakfast cereal: 36 oz/month — must be whole grain or iron-fortified (Cheerios, Chex, store brands)
Whole wheat bread: 1-2 loaves/month (100% whole wheat)
Brown rice or whole wheat pasta: some states offer these as alternatives
Tortillas: whole wheat tortillas approved in many states

Protein

Eggs: 1-2 dozen/month
Peanut butter: 16-18 oz/month
Dried beans/lentils: 1 lb/month OR canned beans (some states)
Canned fish: some states offer canned tuna, salmon, or sardines
Tofu: approved in some states as a protein alternative

Juice

100% fruit juice: 48-128 oz/month depending on state — frozen concentrate or shelf-stable
Must be 100% juice with no added sugar
Pasteurized only

Infant Formula (Birth to 12 Months)

WIC covers approximately half of all formula purchased in the US
Your state contracts with a specific brand (Similac, Enfamil, or Gerber) — you must buy the contracted brand unless you have a medical exception
Amount: typically 9-10 cans of powder or equivalent per month
Breastfeeding mothers receive more food for themselves instead of formula

Need formula now? See our guide to getting free baby formula.

Baby Food (6-12 Months)

Infant cereal: iron-fortified (24 oz/month)
Baby food fruits & vegetables: 128 oz/month of jarred baby food
Baby food meat: 77.5 oz/month (for fully breastfed infants)

Tips for Shopping with WIC

Check your benefit balance before shopping — use your state's WIC app or call the number on your card
Look for WIC shelf tags — stores mark approved items with special tags
Download your state's WIC app — many have barcode scanners that confirm if an item is WIC-approved
Shop early in the month — popular WIC items (specific cereal brands, bread) can sell out
Separate WIC items at checkout — ring them separately from your other groceries to avoid confusion
Ask at customer service if you're unsure — store staff can help identify WIC-approved items

WIC and Other Programs

WIC is designed to work alongside other food assistance. You can receive WIC AND:

SNAP benefits (WIC receipt actually helps you qualify for SNAP)
Food pantry groceries
Free school meals
Any other food assistance program

How to Apply

If you're pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or have a child under 5, apply for WIC today. Call 1-800-311-BABY or visit your state's WIC page to find a clinic near you. No citizenship is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy organic food with WIC?

Yes — organic fruits, vegetables, and dairy are allowed as long as they meet the other WIC requirements (size, type). Organic options may cost more, which means your CVB dollars won't stretch as far.

What if the store doesn't have my WIC-approved brand?

Ask the store to order it, or try a different store. You can also contact your WIC office to see if an alternative brand is approved.

Do unused WIC benefits carry over?

No. Unlike SNAP, WIC benefits expire at the end of each benefit period (usually monthly). Use them or lose them.

Sources

USDA Food and Nutrition Service. "WIC Food Packages — Regulatory Requirements."
USDA Food and Nutrition Service. "WIC Cash Value Benefit Increase."
National WIC Association. "About WIC."