On this page: About WIC | For WIC participants | Breastfeeding | Farm Market Nutrition Program | NEWS (Formula Updates) | Other resources

Call WIC: 440-323-7320

Office hours:

• Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
• All WIC sites are closed on the second Tuesday of the month for staff training. 
• Our Lorain site runs late hours from 9:30-6pm on the 4th Wednesday of the month from Jan-Oct, and the 3rd Wed of the month in Nov/Dec.

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Frequently Asked Questions about WIC

• What is WIC?
• Who is eligible for WIC?
• What does WIC provide?
• What happens at a WIC appointment?
• Where is the WIC office?

What is WIC?

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal nutrition education program conducted through the Ohio Department of Health. WIC provides supplemental foods which promote good health for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age five.

The WIC team is here to help you grow a healthy family through nutrition education, supplemental health foods, breastfeeding support, and connections to other health resources.

Who is eligible for WIC?

• Pregnant women
• Postpartum women, up to 6 months postpartum
• Breastfeeding women, up to 12 months postpartum
• Infants and children up to 5 years old

You must be income-eligible and in nutritional need. You must also live in Ohio.

What does WIC provide?

• Supplemental nutritious foods
  • Pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum women, and children over 1 year can get milk, eggs, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and more.
  • Infants can get supplemental formula and/or baby food and infant cereal.
  • While WIC does not provide all the food you will need, the foods that WIC provides are healthy and nutritious! 
• Nutrition counseling for yourself and child
• Referrals for yourself and your family to other resources
• Breastfeeding support

What happens at a WIC appointment?

WIC staff will check:

• Proof of income
• Proof of address
• Proof of identity for yourself and/or children
• Children's shot records
• Proof of pregnancy papers showing due date
• Your and/or children's height, weight, and blood iron measurements

A Nutrition Educator will explain why you and/or your child are eligible. They will talk to you about how to plan a healthy diet, how to save money when you shop, and how to cook with WIC foods.

Where is the WIC office?

WIC has two locations in Lorain County:

Lorain County Public Health
9880 Murray Ridge Road
Elyria, Ohio 44035

Lorain Clinic Location
Located in the offices of Lorain County Health and Dentistry
1205 Broadway Avenue
Lorain, Ohio 44052

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For WIC participants

Videos

Download the WICShopper app to your phone from Google Play or the App Store. Register your WIC nutrition card to can track purchases and identify WIC-approved foods.

Documents

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Breastfeeding

Meet the team | Breastfeeding at Work | How to get a pump | Other trusted resources

Lorain County WIC's Award Winning Breastfeeding Program!

Come to our Mommy and Me Cafe event: A breastfeeding support group and more.

Meet the WIC breastfeeding team

Hi, I'm Lisa!  I have 3 children and I am currently exclusively breastfeeding my 1 year old. Breastfeeding to me is more than just the wonderful health benefits, it's the peaceful feeling I get when holding my baby close to my heart. I can feel the bond  I have with my baby becoming bigger and stronger. I am here to help and support you with your journey. You choose what works best for you and your family. Enjoy your journey. Hola, soy Lisa. ¡Yo hablo español!

Hi, I'm Micki! I am a momma (and bonus momma) to a total of 6 beautiful babies, ages 4 months to 13 years. We have 4 boys and 2 girls. I have breastfed all 4 of my biological children, and am still nursing the youngest. Breastfeeding, to me, is the most special gift we can give to our babies. I look forward to supporting and advocating for you on your breastfeeding journey as well!

Hi all!  My name is Kerry and I am a mother of two teenage daughters. I breastfed both of my daughters through their first year despite many challenges and complications. Breastfeeding was important to me because I had to return to work at 4 weeks postpartum with both girls and I felt like this was the one thing that I could do for them that nobody else could. It helped me feel more like a mom even though I wasn’t home. Pumping at work and managing all that it entails is my jam. I look forward to supporting you in your breastfeeding journey!

Breastfeeding and pumping at work

According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, worksites are required to provide:

• Time for a woman to express milk , AND
• A private space that is not a bathroom each time they need to pump.

Learn more.

Trying to get a pump through your insurance? 

• WIC recommends MommyXpress, Aeroflow, or PumpsForMom to order your pump.  Explore a wide variety of electric pumps!  Have your insurance card handy.
• If you need assistance ordering your pump or have questions about a particular pump, feel free to reach out to the WIC breastfeeding team!

Other trusted breastfeeding resources

• FREE 24/7 breastfeeding support hotline, staffed by lactation specialists, supported by the Ohio Department of Health
  • Call: 1-888-588-3423
  • Text "BFHOTLINE" to 839 836
• Lorain County Virtual Breastfeeding Support Group on Facebook
• Reliable and researched-based breastfeeding/parenting info: https://kellymom.com/

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Farm Market Nutrition Program

The WIC Farm Market Nutrition Program runs from July 1st to October 31, 2023.  

We hope you enjoyed our meal kits this summer!  Try these recipes that were created in partnership with Grobe Fruit Farm and Fenik Farms:

• Ratatouille
• Mexican Street Corn
• Potatoes and Green Beans
• Corn Salad
• Peach Plum Applesauce
• Fruit Salad

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WIC News

When changes impact the WIC program, we will list that information here.  Current participants will receive a text from “22300” when information is urgent such as safety concerns or clinic closures.

COVID-19 Waivers are ENDING:

2/9/2023 - WIC services are in-person for full appointments and for card loads at all sites.

For full appointments, you must bring:

• • WIC Card (know the PIN number!)
  • All Participants (infant, children, etc.)
  • Proof of Identification (Driver's License, State ID, Birth Certificate, etc.)
  • Proof of Income (state medical card, check stubs, child support, SSI/SSD, W2s, etc.)
  • Proof of Address (utility bill, check stub, ID, etc.)
  • Proof of Pregnancy (if applicable)

For card loads, you must bring:

• • WIC Card (know the PIN number!)
  • Proof of Identification (Driver's License, State ID, Birth Certificate, etc.)

Call WIC at 440-323-7320, if you have questions.  Please reschedule if you are sick. 

Formula Update:

Starting 3/1/2023 - non-contract formulas including Similac, Gerber and some store brands will no longer be available to buy with your WIC card.  If your card is loaded with one of the following formulas, select the box below to see what can be purchased with your WIC benefits. 

Enfamil ProSobee Recall (edited 2/21/23): Reckitt Mead Johnson has voluntarily recalled 2 select batches of ProSobee 12.9 oz. Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula due to the possibility of cross-contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii.  Please check to see if your cans are impacted.  

Steps to determine if your cans are recalled: 

• Follow the directions HERE to identify recalled cans.
• Stop feeding your baby from any recalled cans.
• Return the cans to the place of purchase for a total refund or exchange.  Call 1-800-479-0551 with questions.

Please note: WIC clinics are unable to assist with refunds or exchanges on formula. Please work through the store of purchase or call the manufacturer with questions. 

More information on the recall from the FDA: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/reckitt-recalls-two-batches-prosobee-129-oz-simply-plant-based-infant-formula-because-possible. 

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Other Resources

• Low-cost car seats
• Pregnancy support, including a free Pack 'n Play
• Vaccines for all ages

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement:

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: 1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or 2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 3. email: program.intake@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Para todos los demás programas de asistencia de nutrición del FNS, agencias estatales o locales y sus subreceptores, deben publicar la siguiente Declaración de No Discriminación: De acuerdo con la ley federal de derechos civiles y las normas y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA), esta entidad está prohibida de discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo (incluyendo identidad de género y orientación sexual), discapacidad, edad, o represalia o retorsión por actividades previas de derechos civiles. La información sobre el programa puede estar disponible en otros idiomas que no sean el inglés. Las personas con discapacidades que requieren medios alternos de comunicación para obtener la información del programa (por ejemplo, Braille, letra grande, cinta de audio, lenguaje de señas americano (ASL), etc.) deben comunicarse con la agencia local o estatal responsable de administrar el programa o con el Centro TARGET del USDA al (202) 720-2600 (voz y TTY) o comuníquese con el USDA a través del Servicio Federal de Retransmisión al (800) 877-8339. Para presentar una queja por discriminación en el programa, el reclamante debe llenar un formulario AD-3027, formulario de queja por discriminación en el programa del USDA, el cual puede obtenerse en línea en: https://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource-files/usdaprogram-discrimination-complaint-form-spanish.pdf, de cualquier oficina de USDA, llamando al (866) 632-9992, o escribiendo una carta dirigida a USDA. La carta debe contener el nombre del demandante, la dirección, el número de teléfono y una descripción escrita de la acción discriminatoria alegada con suficiente detalle para informar al Subsecretario de Derechos Civiles (ASCR) sobre la naturaleza y fecha de una presunta violación de derechos civiles. El formulario AD-3027 completado o la carta debe presentarse a USDA por: (1) correo: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or (2) fax: (833)256-1665 o (202) 690-7442; o (3) correo electrónico: program.intake@usda.gov Esta entidad es un proveedor que brinda igualdad de oportunidades.