Health Department WIC nutrition program to continue through 2025

By Ashley Luthans

The St. Joseph Health Department announced it will continue a key nutrition plan and services for Women, Infants and Children through the next fiscal year after signing a new contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

The $571,358 contract with Missouri DHSS was recently approved by City Council members during their Oct. 14 meeting. WIC is a nutrition program for pregnant women, new mothers and infants and children up to 5 years old based on nutritional risk and income eligibility.

The primary services provided are supplemental food, risk assessment, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding promotion and support, health screening and referrals to health care services.

“Studies confirm that pregnant women who enroll in WIC during the early months of pregnancy have fewer low birth weight babies, experience fewer infant deaths, see the doctor earlier in pregnancy and eat healthier,” a press release from the department read.

In order to be eligible for WIC, those applying must make less than or equal to 185% of the poverty level, as well as be at nutritional risk. WIC is also available to migrant families.

WIC is administered in Buchanan County by the City of St. Joseph Health Department. Persons interested in applying or who need more information should contact WIC at 816-271-4723. WIC clinics are offered at the following location(s):

City of St. Joseph Health Department, also known as Patee Market 904 South 10th Street, Suite B, St. Joseph, MO 64503

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.