The Missouri Women Infants and Children (WIC) program will continue its temporary increase of the cash value benefit for fruits and vegetable purchases through October.
The amount increases to $25 per month for child participants, $44 per month for pregnant and postpartum women, and $49 per month for breastfeeding women.
Standard values for fruits and vegetables range from $9-$11.
Eligible participants need to contact their WIC local agency immediately to schedule an appointment to load the additional benefits on their eWIC card before redeeming any October benefits. Participants who redeem any October benefits before receiving the increase will not receive the increase until November.
The extension will provide additional healthy fruits and vegetables for up to 60,000 women and children per month, according to a Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services news release.
WIC families may shop for nutritious foods at more than 600 authorized retailers throughout Missouri. They may receive services at any of 118 local health agencies. The program serves financially eligible women, infants and children younger than 5. Fathers, stepparents, foster parents, grandparents and guardians are also encouraged to apply for WIC benefits for children in the household younger than 5.