Community Health Administration Nutrition and Physical Fitness Bureau Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Location WIC State Agency 899 North Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 442-9397 Mission The mission of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is to improve the lifelong health and nutrition of pregnant women, new mothers (breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding), infants, and children by providing nutrition education, nutrient-rich supplemental food, health and social service referrals and immunization screening for children less than two years of age. Comprehensive revisions to the WIC food packages were made effective as of October 1, 2009.  Program Description WIC is a federally funded nutrition program that provides nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support and supplemental food to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age 5. Authorized by Congress in 1972 as a two-year pilot program, WIC became permanent in 1974. The WIC Program has over 35 years of experience providing nutrition education and supplemental food to pregnant women, infants and children. In a 1999 survey, WIC scored second highest among 30 high-impact government programs in customer satisfaction. The US Congress established WIC because research showed that pregnant women, postpartum (new mothers) and breastfeeding women, infants, and young children from families with inadequate income were more likely to have poor pregnancy outcomes and mental and physical problems. The research also showed that adequate nutrition and health care could reduce risks to physical and mental health. Services The WIC program improves the lifelong health and nutrition of pregnant women, new mothers (breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding), infants and children. Click on the links below to learn how WIC can help you. Apply for WIC Approved Foods Approved WIC Food Stores and Pharmacies Benefits Breastfeeding Information and Support Clinic Enrollment Sites Community Relations Eligibility Mobile Unit Schedule Nutrition for WIC Participants Nutrition for the General Public Sample Food Packages WIC and CSFP Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Buyer's Guide* Non-Discrimination Statement - English and Spanish This site provides additional information on the Nutrition and Physical Fitness Bureau. * This document is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF) and a PDF reader is required for viewing. Download a PDF reader or learn more about PDFs.