VERMONT WIC'S E-NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2020

Keeping you up to date on events, nutrition and health information, recipes and new products.

Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week

During World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) and National Breastfeeding Promotion Month (the month of August), look for life-size breastfeeding standees located throughout the community. Can you find all four?

FIND COMMUNITY BREASTFEEDING EVENTS

Breastfeeding Support

Every family’s journey is different, and new parents and babies may experience some feeding challenges. Ask for help – the sooner, the better! Trained WIC staff are ready to support you and can refer you to expert lactation support when needed. Family and friends can help, too. With a little time, patience and support, you can overcome breastfeeding challenges and meet your goals. Learning to breastfeed is like learning any new skill. It's normal to experience challenges early on. WIC lactation consultants, nutritionists and peer counselors offer guidance and can help answer your questions to get breastfeeding off to a good start.

Vermont Breastfeeding Resources Where to Find Help WIC Breastfeeding Support

Masks On VT

Although we are not gathering in the same ways we were before COVID-19, when you do go out and about, Masks On VT.

Wearing is caring! Wearing a mask is a simple way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect friends, family and fellow Vermonters. Please wear one when you’re out running errands, engaging with people you don’t live with, or in a busy area – either inside or out. For more ways to stop the spread of COVID-19, visit the link below.

#MasksOnVT

Building a Strong Immune System with WIC Foods

WIC foods provide key nutrients that can boost your immune system and help keep your family healthy. Probiotics and Prebiotics Everyone has both good and bad bacteria in their body. Good bacteria can crowd out the bad bacteria, and help protect you from viruses and other germs that could make you sick. The good bacteria in your gut (digestive tract) are also known as probiotics and can strengthen your body’s immune response (how well your body fights germs). You can support your gut health by regularly eating probiotics (fermented foods like yogurt, tempeh and pickled vegetables) and prebiotics, which include foods with fiber. Some of the fiber in fruits, vegetables and whole grains are prebiotics that good bacteria in our guts thrive on. Visit ChooseMyPlate (link below) to make meals with WIC foods that help nourish your body and keep your immune system strong.

ChooseMyPlate

Ranch Dressing

Guess the secret ingredient in this twist on a classic salad dressing. If you guessed probiotic-rich yogurt, you're right! Enjoy on your favorite salad or use as a dip for vegetables. Makes 6 Servings Ingredients 1⁄2 cup plain Greek yogurt* 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons white vinegar or lemon juice 1⁄2 teaspoon mustard (any kind you like) 1 teaspoon finely chopped onion* or 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1 small garlic clove*, peeled and minced (or 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder) 1 to 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill or parsley leaves or chives (or 1 teaspoon dried dill) 1/2 teaspoon salt Instructions Put all the ingredients in the bowl and mix well. Use right away, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Nutrition information per serving: calories 60, protein 2 grams, carbohydrates 1 gram, fat 5 grams, sodium 210 milligrams *WIC foods Recipe and image from Chop Chop

MORE YOGURT RECIPES

Gerber Label Change

Gerber is updating the labels and formulation of Gerber Gentle and Gerber Soothe products. Families who receive infant formula may see these new labels on the shelves now and over the coming weeks. Either label will go through at the grocery store checkout as the barcodes on the cans have not changed.

GERBER LABEL CHANGE

Thank you for telling us what you think!

In May we texted a survey to ask for feedback on some of the WIC program changes we've made during COVID-19. These include switching to phone appointments, adding foods to the WIC-approved list and nutrition education activities online. We had 1,000 responses, and for that we thank you! Here is how we are using the information related to phone appointments: Almost all (97%) of people who recently had a phone appointment and answered the survey agreed or strongly agreed to being satisfied with phone appointments. 83% would like a phone option in the future. More than half (62%) would be interested in trying a video appointment. We are exploring possibilities for video appointments in the future. When we asked how we could make phone appointments better many mentioned having measurements available for the appointment. We are exploring possibilities with medical providers to see if there are better ways to share measurements, with family permission. Look for and please respond to our regular annual survey coming by text in mid-August. Your feedback and thoughts are used to continually make WIC better.

WIC COVID SURVEY RESULTS

Vermont COVID Mortgage Assistance

The Mortgage Assistance Program, a Vermont COVID housing relief program launched on July 13 by the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), provides $5 million to help low-income homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage and are facing economic hardship brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide grants for up to 6 monthly mortgage payments directly to the servicer of the mortgage with a goal of preventing future foreclosure. The program is available to any homeowner who meets the eligibility criteria, not just to VHFA borrowers. Information and application materials are available on VHFA’s website (link below). Information is also available through Vermont Legal Aid at 1-800-889-2047. VHFA will accept applications until August 31, 2020.

VHFA.ORG

Food Resources for Your Family

Many families are struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Does your family have a change in income? Do you need more food resources to feed your family? Feeding Your Family highlights food resources that can help.

FEEDING YOUR FAMILY

A Friendly Reminder For safety, we recommend you don't drive during WIC phone appointments.

WIC PHONE APPOINTMENTS

Refer a Friend to WIC!

WIC is here to keep your family healthy and strong during COVID-19. Only half of the eligible women, infants and children are currently on WIC. Do you know someone who may qualify for WIC? Tell them about us! It's easy to sign up for Vermont WIC. Check out Apply to WIC to start an application online or text VTWIC to 855-11.* *Standard message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to opt­‐out (to stop receiving text messages). HELP for help. See end user privacy and terms and conditions. APPLY TO WIC

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Vermont WIC | healthvermont.gov/wic This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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