The Barry County Health Department offers WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) services to clients that qualify.  The WIC program is a supplemental nutritional program for women, children, and infants.  Eligibility includes pregnant women, women breastfeeding their infant up to the infant’s first birthday, and postpartum women up to 6 months.  It also covers infants up to their 1st birthday and children through the age of 5 years.  You must live in Missouri and the household income can be no more than 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines. 

WIC offers a variety of foods including:  milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, peanut butter, whole grains, fresh and frozen fruits/vegetables.  It offers supplemental infant formula, infant cereals, and infant fruits/vegetables.  WIC can offer an average monthly savings of $60.00 per child.  

A very vital part of WIC is offering nutritional education and support to our clients.  We encourage our clients to participate in goal setting and discuss topics related to nutrition and activity.  WIC believes that breastfeeding is best for the baby if possible and offers education and support through our program.   Our nutritionists and Breastfeeding Coordinator can offer one-on-one counseling with new moms in order to promote a successful breastfeeding journey.  

Please call The Barry County Health Department at 417-847-2114 to see if you qualify and make an appointment for certification.

Publisher’s note: This article is courtesy of Barry County Health Department, located at 90 Barry County Drive in Cassville. The Department may be reached at 417-847-2114.