Celebrating National Nutrition Month®
 

March is National Nutrition Month®, an annual campaign sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that highlights the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy physical activity habits. This year’s theme, “Discover the Power of Nutrition,” encourages individuals and families to learn how nutritious foods and active lifestyles support overall health and well-being.

One valuable benefit for WIC families is access to free nutrition education from registered dietitians. WIC dietitians support pregnant moms with healthy eating during pregnancy, guide mothers through their breastfeeding journey, and offer practical tips for managing picky eaters. They also help families make the most of their WIC benefits by sharing ideas on how to use WIC foods and providing easy, family-friendly recipes.  

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program is a supplemental nutrition program for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children up to age five. 

WIC welcomes all caregivers of children under five, including moms, dads, grandparents, foster parents, and guardians.  WIC strengthens families by providing four core services: healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and social services. It is one of the nation’s most successful and cost-effective public health nutrition programs. 

Although WIC is a short-term program, it is designed to influence lifelong nutrition and health behaviors for low- to moderate-income women, infants, and children.  Research shows that women who participate in WIC are more likely to begin prenatal care earlier, experience fewer premature births, breastfeed longer, and have healthier diets that support appropriate weight gain during pregnancy. Children who receive WIC benefits have improved diets, lower rates of iron-deficiency anemia, more consistent medical care, up-to-date immunizations, and improved intellectual development that helps prepare them for school.

Individuals receiving assistance from programs such as Medicaid, SNAP or Aid for Dependent Children (ADC) are automatically eligible for the WIC program. However, participation in these programs is not required to qualify for WIC services. Working families who do not qualify for these programs may still be income eligible for WIC.  Does your family qualify for WIC? Check the income guidelines here. 

LLCHD and Family Service Lincoln are the two local agencies serving Lincoln and Lancaster County. To make an appointment, call LLCHD at 402-441-6200 or Family Service Lincoln at 402-441-8655. 

WIC locations and hours include:  

•  Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department – 3131 O Street, 402-441-6200, Mondays through Wednesdays and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.  
• Cornhusker Office – 27th Street and Cornhusker Highway, 402-441-4204, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.  
• Mill Towne – 501 S. Seventh Street, 402-441-8655 Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. One Saturday a month, 8 a.m. to noon. Call for the next available date.  
• First United Methodist Church – 2723 N. 50th St., 402-441-8655 One Friday a month, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call for next available date.  
• Southern Heights Presbyterian Church – 5750 S. 40th St., 402-441-8655, one Thursday a month, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call for next available date. 

Learn more about WIC at lincoln.ne.gov/health or familyservicelincoln.org/wic.     Find a WIC location near you.