Action Plan: 7 ideas to buy and use WIC foods

 

When you are ready, consider 1 or more of these tips to make buying and using WIC foods easier.

TIP 1
Ask WIC staff if there are other options.

If you have limited refrigerator space, ask WIC staff if shelf-stable items are available. Sometimes, WIC staff can offer other WIC foods.

For example, instead of milk, you might be able to purchase:

  • Dried milk powder
  • Evaporated milk
  • Yogurt
  • Cheese
  • Soymilk
  • Tofu


Instead of bread, you might be able to purchase items with a longer shelf life, such as:

  • Corn or whole wheat tortillas
  • Brown rice
  • Whole wheat pasta

TIP 2
Use milk for more than drinking.

Consider using it in cereal, oatmeal, smoothies, soups, sauce, pudding, homemade ricotta cheese, or homemade ice cream.

Health eKitchen Meal Planner recipes:

  • Simple Overnight Oats
  • Fruity Milk Smoothie
  • Corn Chowder
  • Simple White Sauce
  • Fresh Fruit Pudding
  • Homemade Ricotta Cheese

TIP 3
Check expiration dates.

When you buy bread or dairy foods such as milk or yogurt, check the expiration date on the package. Pick items with dates that are further away to give you more time to use them.

TIP 4
Freeze extras.

If you have freezer space and more milk than you can use, consider freezing some of it. To do so, open the milk container and pour some out so it can expand when it freezes. When ready to use it, thaw it in the fridge. Store extra bread, tortillas, cheese, yogurt, and cut up fresh veggies and fruits in the freezer, too!

TIP 5
Make a meal plan.

Use perishable foods before they go bad. For example, if you know you'll have a lot of milk or bread, plan meals using it early in the week.

TIP 6
Eat meals at home.

You can control what goes into your food when you cook at home. You can limit ingredients like salt, sugar, and saturated fat. You can also use up your ingredients, which saves you money and reduces food waste.

TIP 7
Offer simple repeat meals.

Free up space in your cupboard and offer simple, repeat meals to your family.  

Find ways to add variety daily by changing other parts of the meal, like adding veggies or fruits. For example, you can offer: 

  • Cereal for breakfast each day. To add variety, serve it with a different fruit (fresh, frozen, or canned).  
  • Peanut butter sandwiches for lunch or snacks. This simple sandwich frees up time to slice different veggies or fruits to serve on the side.
  • Tortillas for dinner served with eggs, beans, canned fish, or as a veggie wrap.