WIC Approved Food List 2026: What Can You Buy with Your WIC Card? Updated Shopping Guide and New Items

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has updated its approved food list for the 2026 fiscal year. To help families make healthier choices, new items like yogurt, whole wheat pasta, and canned fish have been added. Knowing exactly what is allowed at the checkout register is essential to avoid denied transactions. Here is the updated shopping guide.

3 Aralık 2025 Çarşamba 10:00

WIC is a vital resource for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children, providing specific nutritious foods to support development. Unlike SNAP, WIC has strict rules about brands, sizes, and types of food you can purchase. For the 2025-2026 period, several states have expanded their approved lists to include more variety. Understanding these updates will make your grocery shopping trip much smoother.

WIC Approved Food Categories (Checklist)

To ensure your items are approved at the register, follow these general rules (may vary by state):

  1. Dairy:

    • Milk: Must be the exact type listed on your benefits (e.g., 1% Low Fat or Whole Milk). Organic and flavored milks are generally NOT allowed unless specified.

    • Cheese: 8 oz or 16 oz blocks of cheddar, mozzarella, or colby jack. Shredded or deli-sliced cheeses are typically ineligible.

    • Yogurt: 32 oz containers of plain or vanilla yogurt. Brands like Oikos, Two Good, and Chobani are widely accepted.

  2. Proteins:

    • Eggs: Grade A or AA Large white eggs. Brown eggs are allowed in some states.

    • Canned Fish: Chunk light tuna, salmon, or mackerel (for breastfeeding women).

    • Beans/Peanut Butter: 16 oz bags of dry beans or 16-18 oz jars of peanut butter.

  3. Grains:

    • Cereal: Whole grain cereals low in sugar (e.g., Cheerios, Kix, Quaker Oatmeal Squares). 12 oz to 36 oz boxes.

    • Whole Wheat: 100% whole wheat bread, brown rice, or soft corn tortillas (16 oz packages).

How to Scan Items in Store?

  • WIC Shopper App: Download the official app for your state. Use the barcode scanner feature to instantly check if an item is WIC-approved before you put it in your cart.

The 2026 WIC food list offers more flexibility than ever. Always keep your state's specific shopping guide or app handy to avoid confusion at the store.