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Illinois WIC Expands Food Options, Giving Families More Choices at the Grocery Store
Program adds ethnic foods, updates nutrition standards, and increases flexibility for families
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2026
CONTACT:
SPRINGFIELD – The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Illinois has expanded its food package offerings, allowing families to choose from a broader range of culturally-responsive foods aligned with the latest nutrition science. The changes took effect Feb. 25 and provide greater flexibility at the grocery store.
Expanded options include:
- Additional package size options
- New foods, including corn masa flour, whole wheat English muffins, and sardines
- Adjustments to certain food quantities – reducing some items and increasing others – to align with current nutrition science and key dietary needs
Participants have greater flexibility to substitute certain items based on their families’ preferences. For example, they may now select beans or peanut butter instead of eggs.
“This update recognizes that WIC participants know what their families prefer,” said Stephanie Bess, Associate Director of the Division of Family and Community Services and WIC Lead at the Illinois Department of Human Services. “These changes make it easier for them to select foods at the store that best suits their families’ needs.”
WIC supports the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, nutrition education, and referrals to health care and other services. WIC is one of the nation’s most successful and cost-effective public health nutrition programs.
On average, more than 175,000 Illinois residents receive WIC benefits each month. Illinois WIC is open to those who are pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or a parent, guardian, or caretaker who has a child under age five, who meet health and income criteria. Participants receive a monthly food package that includes nutrient-dense foods such as milk, whole grains, and plant-based proteins, as well as a cash value benefit for fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables.
To learn more about the WIC program or check eligibility, visit the Illinois Department of Human Services website at dhs.illinois.gov.
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