WIC services to continue in '03

The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center has announced that WIC, a food program for women, infants and children, will be continue to be funded in 2003.

Under the terms of a contract recently signed with the Missouri Department of Health, the Cape Girardeau County health center will be able to serve 1,250 people eligible for WIC every month.

WIC provides specific nutritious supplemental foods and nutrition education to pregnant and breast-feeding women, postpartum teens, infants, and children under age five, at no cost.

WIC participants are people who meet WIC income guidelines and are determined by health professionals to be at a nutritional risk.

WIC supplemental food packages are specifically chosen to provide foods high in protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. Eligible women and children receive fortified milk and cheese, eggs, hot or cold cereal high in iron, fruit juices high in vitamin C, and dried beans or peas.

Although the WIC program recommends breast-feeding, infants receive supplemental iron fortified formula when needed, and infant cereal and juice at the appropriate age.

Participants are issued vouchers to buy these foods at authorized local retail stores.

WIC is administered in Cape Girardeau County by the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center. Call 335-4330 for more information.