VERMONT WIC'S E-NEWSLETTER
JULY 2020
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Keeping you up-to-date on events, nutrition and health information, recipes and new products. This July is Vermont WIC e-newsletter's 1-year anniversary!
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Building a Strong Immune System with WIC Foods
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Due to COVID-19, staying home when sick, social distancing, mask-wearing and hand washing are all important to keep you and your family healthy. Good nutrition can also be part of a plan for good health. Over the next few months, we'll share some key nutrients found in WIC foods that can boost your immune system to help keep you and your family healthy.
Eat the rainbow.
Whole foods (foods in their "natural state," that aren't overly processed), provide a wide variety of nutrients to support your immune system. Whole foods, like colorful vegetables, fruits and whole grains (all WIC foods), contain important nutrients like
vitamin A
(for healthy skin, which can protect you from infection),
vitamin C
(which helps recognize and fight infection), and
zinc
(that supports immune health and wound healing). These nutrients help your body make immune cells, strengthen your immune response, and much more! Eating the rainbow with a variety of vegetables, fruits and whole grains will keep your body fueled and give you nutrients to help your body protect from and fight infections.
MyPlate shows you how to design your plate to help nourish your body and keep your immune system strong.
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Makes 1 sandwich
Ingredients
2 slices whole-wheat bread*
1 slice of your favorite cheese*
Topping options listed below (fresh vegetables and fruits*)
Instructions
Make a sandwich with a rainbow of veggies! Spread with hummus, pesto, mayo, mustard, or your favorite dressing. Top with your favorite cheese.
Topping options
Red: tomatoes, red peppers, radishes
Orange: shredded carrots, orange peppers
Yellow: yellow peppers, hummus
Green: spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, avocado, slices green apple, fresh herbs, pesto
Purple: sliced purple cabbage
*WIC foods
Recipe and image from ChopChop
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WIC receives a limited supply of Farm to Family coupons and we do not have any left for this year. Coupons are for locally grown, fresh vegetables and fruits from participating farmers’ markets across Vermont. If you filled out the interest form that was posted, your family will be notified about receiving coupons through WIC. If you did not complete the interest form and are interested in receiving Farm to Family coupons, please contact your local
Community Action Agency
to see if they have coupons available.
If you receive Farm to Family coupons and cannot make it to the market, you can send a family member or friend to redeem your coupons for you. Coupons are good until October 31. Some markets close before then so be sure to use your coupons early.
If you have any questions about Farm to Family, contact your
local WIC office
. Check the link below for a list of farmers' markets that are accepting Farm to Family coupons this year.
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Temporarily Expanded WIC Foods Now Through September
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Due to COVID-19, Vermont WIC temporarily expanded our foods to add options for some items that have been harder to find. These foods will now be available through the end of September.
If you are ever in a store and not sure about a WIC-approved food try the
WICShopper App
to scan the bar code, then compare to YOUR Family Food Benefit List to double check.
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WIC Accepted at Self-Checkout Lanes in Specific Store Locations
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You can now use your WIC card at self-checkout lanes at specific Vermont WIC-authorized grocery stores. These specific stores are Walmart Supercenters in Bennington, Berlin and Derby, and Shaw's Supermarkets in Colchester, South Burlington, Montpelier, Waterbury and Williston.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when using self-checkouts:
- Self-checkouts cannot provide a balance inquiry but you can ask the cashier overseeing the machines for one.
- You will have to ask the cashier to do a void if you need to cancel the transaction.
- Self-checkouts will provide a mid-transaction receipt that lists the foods that will be paid by WIC.
- The ending receipt will contain the beginning balance, the transaction information, and an ending balance for your WIC foods.
- If something goes wrong during the self-checkout process, take your receipt and items to the service desk, where they can help you return and get refunded for anything that didn't go through correctly.
- Hold onto your receipts in case there are any issues you notice when you get home.
- Check our list of WIC-authorized grocers on our Shopping with WIC page, under Where to Shop, for up-to-date information on shopping locations and services.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control (or CDC), based on what we know at this time, pregnant people might be at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant people. There may also be an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth, among pregnant people with COVID-19. Therefore, if you are pregnant, be mindful about reducing your risk of getting sick. If you are caring for children, you can teach them
everyday steps
(such as proper
handwashing
) to help them stay healthy and, in turn, help protect yourself and your family. Follow the link below to CDC for more information.
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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
.*
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Are there topics you’d like to see in our newsletter?
Email us.
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Th
is institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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