VERMONT WIC'S E-NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2021
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Keeping you up to date on events, nutrition and health information, recipes, and new products. |
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COVID Vaccine for Pregnant Individuals |
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Vermonters with certain high-risk health conditions are eligible for free COVID-19 vaccines. Starting Monday March 8, Vermonters ages 55+ with certain high-risk health conditions can sign-up for their COVID-19 vaccines. On Thursday, March 11, this group will be expanded to include Vermonters ages 16+ with certain high-risk health conditions. This includes COVID-19 vaccines for individuals who are pregnant.
If you have questions about the vaccines, please talk with your health care provider.
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If registering online is not an option, call 855-722-7878 to make an appointment
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For more information about COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy, visit CDC and watch Sara Asks
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Sing along to Chanjo ("Vaccine" in Swahili/Kiswahili) by KeruBo
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Make WIC shopping easier with these tips:
- Before you shop, check your balance to see what foods you have left to buy.
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Get the WICShopper App. Scan barcodes at the store to see which foods are WIC-eligible, find recipes with WIC ingredients, and more!
- At the register, swipe your WIC card first before other methods of payment. It will make your food dollars go further and help you get the most out of your WIC benefits.
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Hannaford to Go now accepts WIC.
A correction to last month's article – when you select "EBT" at online checkout to use your WIC card, you will not need to prepay for WIC or non-WIC items. You can pay curbside for anything not covered by WIC (including non-WIC items, $5 fee and the 10¢ per bag fees), preferably with a credit/debit card.
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In last month’s newsletter, we shared an article about heavy metals in some baby foods and offering a variety of foods to limit exposure to heavy metals. Making your own baby food is one way to offer your child variety. Start introducing solid foods to your baby around 6 months.
Benefits of making your own baby foods
- Use fresh ingredients, while making sure your child is getting the variety of nutrients they need. When your child is 9 months old, they can receive fresh fruits and vegetables as part of their WIC foods.
- Use foods you already have in your refrigerator and pantry
- Introduce your child to new foods
Preparation
When preparing fruits and vegetables to include in baby foods, make sure that the items you are using have been:
- Thoroughly washed and peeled
- Cooked or steamed until they are soft
- Have had any seeds or pits removed
- Are plain and without no added fats, oils, salt, or sugar
When preparing meats, grains, and other foods for baby food, make sure the items you are using:
- Are prepared in a clean and sanitized area
- Are fully cooked
- Have any bones, skin, or other parts that could be a choking hazard removed
- Are plain and without added fats, oils, salt, or sugar
After the ingredients are cooked or steamed, place them in a blender or a food processor until smooth. It may be helpful to include breastmilk, formula, or water in the blender to ensure the puree is thin enough to be safe for your child to eat.
Storage
To store your homemade baby food:
- Refrigerate the puree in small containers to use within a few days
- Freeze extra puree in ice cube trays
Learn More
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Homemade Baby Food Recipes |
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Here are some yummy ideas to use WIC foods for homemade baby food!
Blueberry Avocado Puree: 1 mashed avocado, 1 cup steamed blueberries with breastmilk, formula, or water to thin. Process in food processor or blender until it is a smooth consistency.
Strawberry Banana Puree: 1 mashed banana, 1 cup steamed strawberries with breastmilk, formula, or water to thin. Process in food processor or blender until it is a smooth consistency.
Sweet Potato Spinach Puree: 1 cooked sweet potato, 1 cup cooked spinach with breastmilk, formula, or water to thin. Process in food processor or blender until it is a smooth consistency.
Carrot Apple Puree: 1 cup cooked carrots, 1 steamed and sliced apple with breastmilk, formula, or water to thin. Process in food processor or blender until it is a smooth consistency.
Chicken, Peas and Quinoa Puree: 1 ounce cooked chicken, 2 tablespoons cooked peas, ¼ cup cooked quinoa with breastmilk, formula, or water to thin. Process in food processor or blender until it is a smooth consistency.
Family Dinner Puree: Include some of the foods you are eating for your meals in your baby’s food. Fully cook and steam all ingredients without added fats, oils, salt, or sugar. Add to food processor or blender with breastmilk, formula, or water to thin. Process in food processor or blender until it is a smooth consistency.
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WIC Foods for Immune Health |
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Since last June, we've highlighted nutrients in WIC foods that help keep your immune system strong. This month's highlight is on copper. WIC foods, including whole grains, potatoes, mushrooms, chickpeas, tofu, canned salmon, avocado, spinach, and asparagus, contain copper. Find recipes using these foods on wichealth.org Health eKitchen and look for more immune boosting nutrition information in future newsletters. |
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Keeping yourself and your family well-nourished is one important way to support your health, and no one should be stressed about having enough food. There are several food programs that can help.
3SquaresVT helps you buy food from grocery and convenience stores, farmers markets, and co-ops. Benefits are loaded each month on an EBT card, which works like a debit card. Many people are eligible but don't know it, and thanks to recent changes, monthly benefits are higher than ever. To find out more and get help applying visit www.vermontfoodhelp.com or text VFBSNAP to 855-11.
Meals for Kids are available this school year through local schools, no matter where your child is learning. Meals are also available through some childcare providers. These meals are nutritious and are prepared following strict health and safety guidelines. Contact your child's school or childcare provider to learn more!
Farmers to Families Food Boxes are available at multiple food distributions throughout the state. Everyone is required to pre-register to receive food at the sites. To find out more and to sign up, visit humanresources.vermont.gov/food-help.
The Vermont Foodbank is dedicated to supporting Vermonters during all times of need. To get help visit vtfoodbank.org/gethelp or call 800-585-2265.
Vermont Everyone Eats is a program created last year that supports Vermont restaurants and farmers while providing meals to people across the state. Pick up a restaurant-quality meal with local ingredients for free. Learn more about how to find a meal in your area by visiting vteveryoneeats.org or dial 2-1-1. This program is expected to run through June.
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WIC is here to keep your family healthy and strong during COVID-19. Do you know someone who may qualify for WIC? Tell them about us!
It's easy to sign up for Vermont WIC. Click Apply to WIC to start an application online or text VTWIC to 855-11.*
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Are there topics you’d like to see in our newsletter? Email us.
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This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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