Healthy Habits Start with WIC, This National Nutrition Month and Beyond

On Wednesday, March 18, the National WIC Association (NWA) hosted an Instagram Live event offering a relaxed, conversational way to connect with WIC and NWA staff who shared their expertise about WIC food benefits and nutrition education. 

Meet the Panelists and Moderator: 

Tracy Sabo, Panelist: Tracy brings 12 years of experience in WIC, serving as a Dietitian and Local Agency Coordinator at Konza Prairie Community Health Center in Junction City, Kansas. Her journey to WIC began after a career in veterinary medicine, where she developed a strong sense of care and attention to detail that she now dedicates to supporting families and communities. That dedication led her to get involved with NWA, first as the Kansas Local Agency Representative and later as the Mountain Plains Regional Representative. Today, she is the Co-Chair of NWA’s Local Agency Section Standing Committee, and she works with NWA staff and Board members

Sarah Younker, Panelist: Sarah is the Manager of Memberships and Events at NWA. She supports WIC staff by answering questions and assisting with education and networking opportunities. She also works on NWA event and conference planning. She joined NWA in January 2024.

Sarah is passionate about public health nutrition and has dedicated three and a half years to working with WIC. She has also served as the secretary for the Northern Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics chapter, contributed to the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics board focusing on public policy, participated in several NWA committees, and conducted precepting with nursing and dietetics students and interns. 

In her free time, she finds joy in raising chickens, swimming, and gardening.

Dimond Preston, Moderator: Dimond is a Senior Communications Associate at NWA. She works on the Communications Team, focusing on marketing and content creation for NWA products, events, and newsletters. Dimond also manages NWA’s website and the WIC Hub, a collection of research and resources about WIC.

Dimond holds a Master of Public Health in Public Health Communication and Marketing from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her interests and passions include using public health communications to advance health equity, particularly in areas such as Black maternal health, health disparities, and food security. Dimond was also a WIC baby, which inspires her work in NWA today. She joined NWA in May 2024.

Our panelists, Tracy and Sarah, answered questions and shared their personal connections to WIC. We’re excited to highlight their experiences and advice in this blog post, along with an Instagram reel recording of the event! 

WIC Can Offer Personalized Food Benefits for Your Family’s Needs! 

Dimond: Can you share a little bit about your connection to WIC?

Sarah Younker shared that her connection to WIC began during a two‑week community rotation as a dietetic intern. She enjoyed the experience but initially thought she wanted to work in food service. After becoming an RD, she saw a job opening at the same WIC site, applied, and was welcomed back. She loved working with families, seeing babies grow, and supporting parents. She later worked with Michigan WIC before joining NWA.

Tracy Sabo shared that she started her career in long‑term care before applying for a full‑time WIC position. She now works directly with families in a local clinic and oversees clinic operations. She loves supporting pregnant women, infants, and young children.

What the WIC Food Package Includes

The WIC Food Package Includes Items Like: 

Dairy and Non-Dairy Options: cow milk or non-dairy milk alternatives, dairy and non-dairy yogurt, cheese

Protein: eggs, beans, peanut butter, tofu, and newly added tinned fish or tuna

Fruits & Vegetables: fresh, canned, or frozen

Whole Grains: whole wheat bread, pasta, tortillas, corn tortillas, wild rice, and more

Each state may approve different brands or product types based on what is available in local grocery stores. It’s important to stay up to date with WIC appointments and check in with your local clinic to customize food package options for your family’s specific nutrition needs and dietary restrictions. 

How WIC Tailors Nutrition Support

WIC Staff Conduct a Nutrition Assessment to Understand:

• Cultural food preferences
• Dietary restrictions or allergies 
• Eating and cooking habits 
• Family needs based on life stage (pregnancy, breastfeeding, infancy, early childhood)

Food Packages Can Be Further Customized, Including: 

• Vegan families can trade eggs for more beans.
• Families can choose dairy alternatives.
• Other swaps can be made based on allergies or intolerances.

2024 WIC Food Package Updates

Key Updates Include:

• Expanded access to culturally specific foods
• More whole grain options (masa flour, cornmeal, teff)
• Required offering of at least two forms of fruits and vegetables (fresh + canned or frozen)
• Option to trade some juice for additional fruit/vegetable benefits
• Expanded dairy alternatives, including pea‑protein beverages
• Infants at six months can now receive 100% fruits and vegetables when starting solids

Note: The new WIC food package updates are now fully in effect as of April 20th, 2026. 

Families can share feedback with their WIC clinic about items they want to see added or brands they want to see included in the WIC food package. Requests can take time, but they help influence future approvals!

Audience Q&A

Question from an Audience Member: How can you address food refusal for picky eaters?

Sarah: Picky eating is extremely common. It can take many exposures—sometimes 10 to 15—for a child to accept a new food. Celebrate small steps, such as touching or smelling the food! Be patient and remember your child is not alone in this stage.

Tracy: New textures and flavors take time. Adults also need multiple tries to like new foods, so it’s normal for children to need repeated exposure!

Watch and Share the Post-Event Instagram Reel and follow us to stay tuned for future events

Follow us (@WICYouGotThis!) on Instagram and watch the full recording of this year’s #NationalNutritionMonth Instagram Live!

Author

Mariah Cowsert

Mariah Cowsert is a Senior Communications Associate at the National WIC Association. She has 9 years of experience in public health communications, with her work ranging from direct social service and affordable housing organizations in DC and her home state of Michigan, to supporting sexual and reproductive health education initiatives at a national non-profit in Baltimore. As someone who grew up in a low-income household in rural Michigan—she knows firsthand that when families have access to quality, healthy foods regardless of their income or zip code; they can not only survive but thrive.