What Cheese is WIC Approved?

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides nutritional assistance to pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. As part of this program, vendors must declare the least expensive brand (LEB) for various food categories, including milk, fluid and frozen juice, cheese, and whole wheat/grain bread. In this article, we will focus on WIC-approved cheese.

WIC-approved cheese is a crucial component of the program's goal to promote healthy eating habits among its participants. The program requires vendors to declare their LEB for each type and size of WIC-authorized milk, fluid and frozen juice, cheese, and whole wheat/grain bread. This means that vendors must sell their least expensive brand of cheese to at least 85% of customers who redeem WIC benefits.

So, what types of cheese are WIC-approved? According to the WIC program's guidelines, vendors can declare a minimum of two different types of cheese products. These products include:

* Whole-milk cheese

* Low-fat cheese

* Fat-free cheese

* Processed cheese spreads

Vendors must also ensure that their declared LEB for cheese meets certain labeling requirements. The label must be printed in approved colors and display the WIC-approved item pink label, which is issued by the state.

In addition to declaring their LEB for cheese, vendors must also follow Texas WIC's food labeling policy, WV: 1.0 and WV: 2.0. This policy outlines specific guidelines for labeling WIC-authorized foods, including cheese products.

If you are a new vendor account or adding a new vendor outlet to an existing account and need to declare an LEB for cheese, complete the WIC Least Expensive Brand Declaration Form (Fillable PDF). This form is available on the Texas WIC website.

In conclusion, WIC-approved cheese includes whole-milk cheese, low-fat cheese, fat-free cheese, and processed cheese spreads. Vendors must declare their LEB for these products and ensure that they meet labeling requirements to participate in the WIC program. By following these guidelines, vendors can help promote healthy eating habits among WIC participants while also benefiting from the program's Medicaid supplemental payment and directed payment programs.

What cheese is wic approved