The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program designed to provide food to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and their infants and children until the age of five.  WIC offers a combination of nutrition education, supplemental foods, breastfeeding promotion and support and referrals to health care. The WIC Program has proven effective in preventing and improving nutrition related health problems within its population. PCHD_WIC_June2021.mp4

The purpose of WIC is to improve pregnancy outcomes, increase breastfeeding intiation and duration rates, reduce maternal and early childhood morbidity and mortality, and maximize the growth and development of children through improved nutritional status. 

N.C. DHHS: DPH: Nutrition Services Branch: WIC (nutritionnc.com)

WIC is for: 

• Children up to 5 years of age
• Infants
• Pregnant women
• Breastfeeding women who have had a baby in the last 12 months
• Women who have had a baby in the last 6 months

WIC is available to pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age five. Foster families with qualifying individuals may be eligible to receive WIC benefits. To participate, these persons must:

• Live in North Carolina.
• Have a family income less than 185% of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines. A person receiving Medicaid, Work First Families Assistance (TANF), or assistance from the NC Food and Nutrition Services automatically meets the income eligibility requirement.
• Be at nutritional risk. A nutritionist or other health professional makes the nutritional risk assessment at no cost to the participant, usually at the local WIC office.

1. Provide Access to WIC Progam Services for Women

2. Promote Healthy Weights

3. Breastfeeding Promotion and Support

The WIC program continued to operate virtually during COVID.  During this time, with State COVID waiver in place, all eligible women were granted benefits regardless of contact with WIC staff (i.e., nutrition education, quarterly visits, etc.).  COVID waivers ended August 2023 requiring eligible women to complete all portions of eligibility including contact with WIC staff and physical presence in order to participate in WIC and receive WIC benefits. 

In April 2023, the WIC Program Director transitioned to a new role with Pitt County Health Department.  In October 2023, the Nutrition Program Director resigned.  Both positions are currently vacant.