Eric: Good morning, Vanessa. Thanks for being here so bright and early.

Vanessa: No problem. I need to know more about the WIC program. While Linda was training me on the register, we had lots of WIC participants come through. I’m really not sure what it’s all about.

Eric: Well that’s why I’m here. By the time you leave today, you’ll have a much better understanding of the program. First off, what do you know about WIC?

Vanessa: I know it has something to do with women and children.

Eric: That’s correct. Women, Infants and Children or WIC as we know it, is a special program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture that provides nutrition education, breastfeeding education and promotion, referrals to health and social services, and supplemental foods for income-eligible pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, as well as infants and children up to the age of five.

The WIC Program was established as a pilot program in 1972. It became permanent in 1974. That’s when Arizona established its WIC program offered through the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Vanessa: So you just have to be income eligible to qualify for the WIC program?

Eric: Well, actually there are a few more requirements. Let’s go into a little more detail.