About WIC

WIC Program Overview

Good nutrition during pregnancy and the first years of a child’s life provides the essential building blocks for brain development, healthy growth, and a strong immune system. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, popularly known as WIC, provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care and other social services for millions of low-income families, and it plays a crucial role in improving lifetime health for women, their infants, and young children.

CDPH/WIC Division

In California, the WIC Program is administered by the California Department of Public Health/WIC Division. The CDPH/WIC Division works collaboratively with 83 Local Agencies and over 4,000 vendors to serve more than 1 million participants in California each month.

USDA/FNS

Nationally, the WIC Program is administered at by the US Department of Agriculture/Food and Nutrition Service.