The St. Louis County Department of Health will continue to provide assistance services for women, infants and children for federal fiscal year 2025.
The department and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced the contract continuance on Oct. 23.
The local WIC program is a nutrition program for pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to age 5, aimed at those with nutritional risk and low income. It offers supplemental foods, risk assessments, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and health screenings. Eligibility requires an income at or below 185% of the poverty level, and migrant families can also participate.
Persons interested in applying or who need more information should contact the health department at 314-615-7900 ext. 3. WIC clinics are offered at the South County Health Center, 4580 S. Lindbergh Sunset Hills, from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Other WIC clinic locations in the county are:
· North Central Community Health Center, 4000 Jennings Station Road, 63121, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
· John C. Murphy Health Center, 6121 N. Hanley Road, 63134 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
· Koch Park WIC Office, 2137 Charbonier, Suite A, 63031, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Eligible women and children will receive fortified milk and cheese, eggs, whole grain bread products, hot or cold cereals, 100% fruit juices and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. The WIC program encourages breastfeeding and provides breastfeeding support, baby foods and infant cereal. Woman who cannot or choose not to breastfeed will receive supplemental, iron-fortified formula for their infants.
According to the news release from the county, WIC participants will obtain their foods using their eWIC cards for specific items at participating local grocery stores and pharmacies.
“We are thrilled to renew the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in partnership with the state of Missouri. This renewal ensures that we can continue providing essential nutrition and health support to our community’s most vulnerable populations—women, infants, and children. At the Saint Louis Department of Public Health, we are committed to improving the health and well-being of families, and WIC plays a vital role in achieving that mission,” Director of Public Health Kanika Cunningham stated in the news release.
