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Happy spring from WIC!

Celebrate National Nutrition Month^®

March is National Nutrition Month, a perfect time to focus on healthy eating and how food connects us. Food is more than just what we eat – it's a way to bring family and friends together and celebrate our cultures and traditions.

Eating healthily is important for everyone, especially growing children and busy families. Every meal is a chance to help kids grow strong and develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime. WIC gives you nutritious foods, helpful tips, and ongoing support. Let's make every meal a step toward a healthier future together!

Spring is a great time to clean and organize your refrigerator, freezer, and food pantry.

Here are a few simple ideas to use WIC foods:

• Oatmeal breakfast – cook oats with milk and top with fresh or canned fruit for a hearty breakfast. Stir in peanut butter to add protein and extra yum!
• Veggie stir-fry – use brown rice and mix in your favorite vegetables for a quick and healthy dinner. Add tofu or eggs for a heartier dish.
• Fruit smoothies – Blend yogurt and milk or juice with fresh or frozen fruits for a refreshing snack.

Need more ideas and inspiration? Your local WIC Nutritionists can share recipes and tips using WIC foods.

Vermont WIC is dedicated to helping families stay healthy by providing food, nutrition information, breastfeeding/chestfeeding support, and referrals. WIC is open and here for you. We will let you know about any possible federal changes that might affect the program. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your local WIC office or contact us at WIC@vermont.gov.

Value of WIC Foods

With WIC you can save $100 or more monthly on your grocery bill. The value of a child participant's food package is about $100. If you are pregnant or have more than one member of your household participating in WIC, the value is even more. Remember to use your WIC benefits when you shop by swiping your WIC card first.

Shop in Season this Spring

Enjoy fresh, in-season spring produce with your WIC fruit and vegetable benefit. Shopping for seasonal fruits and vegetables gives you the freshest and most flavorful options. Here are some foods to try:

• Asparagus – a tasty spring vegetable, roast and serve as a side or add to salads
• Mushrooms – sauté and add flavor to soups, pasta, stir-fries, or omelets
• Oranges and grapefruits – juicy citrus fruits full of vitamin C, perfect for a refreshing snack (see more information below)
• Lemons – add zesty flavor to your dishes or make homemade lemonade 
• Spinach – versatile leafy green, use in salads, smoothies, or cooked dishes
• Lettuce – fresh and crisp, ideal for salads and sandwiches
• Peas – sweet and crunchy, add to many dishes or as a side

Enjoy the flavors of spring!

Oranges are a great way to add natural sweetness and nutrition to your meals. They are packed with vitamin C, which helps keep your immune system strong. They provide fiber, which is good for digestion, and contain antioxidants that help keep your body healthy.

There are several kinds of oranges including:

• Navel oranges – sweet and easy to peel, making them perfect for snacking
• Valencia oranges – known for their juiciness, great for making fresh orange juice
• Blood oranges – unique red color and a slightly tangy flavor
• Clementines – a variety of mandarin oranges, small, sweet, and easy to peel

There are many ways to use oranges, including:

• Snacks – peel and eat as a quick, healthy snack (see fun idea below)
• Salads – add orange slices to salads for a burst of flavor
• Juice – squeeze for fresh orange juice
• Desserts – use orange zest or juice in cakes and cookies for a citrusy twist

Orange Butterflies

A fun and different way to enjoy oranges!

Serves 2

Ingredients

2 oranges* (any variety)

Instructions

1. Cut oranges into quarters.
2. Carefully cut or peel the skin away from the fruit on one pointed end, about ½ to ¾ of an inch.
3. Carefully cut the piece of orange down the center of the flesh side, from point to point. Allow the knife to cut through the point that you left intact, but do not cut all the way through the skin where it meets the cutting board.
4. Use your fingers to gently open the “butterfly”, being careful not to separate the two pieces.
5. Enjoy!

*WIC food

Watch a video to understand how to cut the oranges: Easy Butterfly Oranges (shows an option to dip in chocolate)

Nutrition information per serving: calories 62, protein 1 gram, carbohydrates 15 grams, fat 0 grams, sodium 1 milligram, dietary fiber 3 grams

Recipe and image source

Learn about resources that may be helpful to your family.

Tax Credits

You may be eligible for two tax credits – the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Vermont Child Tax Credit (CTC).

Families with children who receive the Vermont EITC are automatically income-eligible for 3SquaresVT. That means it may be easier to enroll in the program and get money to buy groceries each month in addition to WIC. 

Learn more below.

Picky Eating Class Series

Participate in a Feedback Group

RAPID National Household Survey

The RAPID Survey Project at Stanford University has partnered with Building Bright Futures to offer a paid survey opportunity for parents! Each month, the RAPID survey collects information from households with young children across the U.S. to better understand how they are doing in the moment. It makes this information available to policymakers, key partners, and others. The survey takes about 15 minutes, and you will earn $5 to complete it.

Empty Arms Vermont

Empty Arms Vermont provides peer support to individuals and families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss, including through support groups.

Do you know someone who may qualify for WIC? Tell them about all the benefits of giving WIC to their family.

Text APPLY to 1-844-839-8942 or click Apply to WIC to start an application online.

Vermont WIC | HealthVermont.gov/WIC

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.