VERMONT WIC'S E-NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2024
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Keeping you up to date on events, nutrition and health information, recipes, and new products.
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World Breastfeeding Week &
National Breastfeeding Month
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Join us in celebrating World Breastfeeding Week (August 1 - 7) and National Breastfeeding Month (the month of August). Events are happening around the state to showcase the important health benefits of breastfeeding/chestfeeding for both infants and parents, and the supports available to make it an easy choice.
This year’s global celebration for World Breastfeeding Week highlights the theme Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All, ensuring that everyone has access to lactation support. WIC is here year-around to support your family’s infant feeding journey.
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Showing appreciation for all the amazing WIC staff who support families' infant feeding journeys, including peer counselors, nutritionists, and lactation consultants, also known as IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants), who specialize in breastfeeding/chestfeeding support. Contact your local WIC office to find out more about the supports available. | |
Don't Forget Farm to Family | |
Don't miss out on your chance to get Farm to Family coupons! Farm to Family gives WIC families coupons for free, locally grown, fresh vegetables and fruits from participating farmers markets and farm stands during the summer. Coupons are available on a first-come, first-served basis to WIC participants six months and older, valued at $30 per booklet.
Attend one of the fun activities offered by your local WIC office to pick up your coupons. These events count as your WIC nutrition activity. If you've missed the distributions, contact your local WIC office to find out how you get Farm to Family coupons before it's too late!
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More Support with New Food Packages | |
Changes are coming to the WIC food packages in the future, offering more support for individual breastfeeding/chestfeeding goals.
Look for information in upcoming newsletters about the changes that will bring more support, flexibility, choices, and balance!
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Canned fish, including tuna, salmon and sardines, are available in the WIC food packages for fully breastfeeding/chestfeeding individuals.
Canned fish is a good source of protein, healthy fats, vitamin D, B12, choline, iron, zinc, iodine, and calcium, and an easy way to incorporate the health benefits of fish into meals.
Here are a few ideas and see the delicious recipe below!
- Put on crackers with a drizzle of freshly squeezed lemon and olive oil.
- Mix with plain yogurt for a creamy dip.
- Add finely chopped celery or onions, herbs, and a squeeze of lemon.
- Splash with hot sauce, lemon, and sprinkle with fresh or dried herbs.
- Combine into pasta dishes to add protein.
- Add sardines to toast, salads, pizza, and more.
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Try these yummy, easy fish tacos with canned tuna or substitute canned salmon. If desired, add chopped tomato, lime juice, salt, and pepper to the garnish in Step 2 to create a pico de gallo.
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients
4 tablespoons plain yogurt* or sour cream
1 teaspoon lime* (or lemon*) juice
1 teaspoon water
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup red onion*, chopped
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
5 ounces of canned tuna* (or canned salmon*), drained
4 soft corn or whole wheat flour tortillas*
Directions
- In a small bowl, make a sauce mixture, called crema by combining the yogurt and lime juice. Little by little add a teaspoon of water until the mixture is thin enough to drizzle but is not too thin (aim for a honey-like consistency). Add salt and pepper to taste and additional lime juice, if desired.
- In a separate bowl, combine the chopped onion and cilantro.
- Heat a small pan to medium. Drizzle vegetable oil in the pan and add the tuna. Stir often and remove pan from heat when tuna is slightly browned.
- Heat tortillas in the microwave or oven to warm them.
- Place ¼ of the tuna mixture in each tortilla, and then top with the onion and cilantro garnish. Drizzle the tacos with crema and serve.
*WIC foods
Nutrition information per serving: calories 495, protein 18 grams, carbohydrates 47 grams, fat 28 grams, sodium 2520 milligrams, dietary fiber 7 grams
Recipe and image source
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Learn about resources that may be helpful to your family. | |
Are you pregnant or did you recently have a baby? Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month by playing the Daily Drop, WIC’s new infant feeding app, exclusive for WIC participants!
Use the app during pregnancy and after you have your baby to build knowledge and confidence. Quick breastfeeding/chestfeeding focused mini games you play on your schedule!
What's on the app?
- Daily Playlist: Play personalized mini games to earn rewards.
- Daily Wrap Up: Think about your feelings and see how they change over time.
- Knowledge Library: Find games for any stage of pregnancy or breastfeeding/chestfeeding and find answers to common questions.
- Get Help Easily: Use the app to reach out to WIC.
- Made Just for WIC: Helping WIC staff give you the best care possible using game play information.
Contact your local office or email WIC@vermont.gov for the link to download the Daily Drop!
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WIC Virtual Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding &
Baby Behavior Classes
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Did you know that WIC offers monthly virtual breastfeeding/chestfeeding and baby behavior classes? Learn more about preparing to breastfeed/chestfeed, understanding your baby's behavior and cues, and making breastfeeding/chestfeeding work when returning to work or school. Partners are welcome.
Check WIC's calendar for more information and to sign up!
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Tune into these Instagram Live events on the National WIC Association's WIC You Got This page to learn more about WIC's infant feeding benefits, or share with a friend. | |
Picky Eating Class Series | |
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Free Summer Meals are available for children up to age 18 at many sites around Vermont. Visit the Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder to find locations, days, and hours of operation. Kids can participate in both Summer Meals and Summer EBT. | |
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Summer EBT is here for Vermont kids, providing $120 per eligible child to buy groceries during the summer when school meals aren't available.
Benefits can be used at more than 600 stores statewide, some retailers online, and over 30 farmers markets. When you shop at farmers markets with Summer EBT, you can get up to $20 matched with Crop Cash!
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Applications are open through August 31 for fall and winter CSAs and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. | |
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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.
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Are there topics you’d like to see in our newsletter? Email us.
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