State agencies are responsible for identifying the brands, types, and forms of WIC-eligible foods, including substitution options, to authorize for their state food list and must include more than one product for most WIC food categories. While state agencies have flexibility and options when making these determinations, they are required to authorize certain substitution types and forms to ensure WIC families are receiving a package of healthy foods.
The table below provides a high-level summary of certain requirements (see 7 CFR 246.10 for full requirements) and available state agency options. All foods authorized must meet federal minimum nutrient requirements in 7 CFR 246.10(e)(12); state agencies may also establish additional criteria per 7 CFR 246.10(b)(1)(i).
| Food Category | Federal Requirement | State Agency Option |
|---|---|---|
| Cow's Milk | Required Substitution: N/A More-than-one provision: N/A satisfied by the two types that regulations require. | Substitution Options:
Forms: fluid, shelf-stable, dry, or evaporated Organic Additional state agency criteria |
| Juice | Required Substitution: Cash value-voucher/benefit (CVV/B).1,2 More-than-one provision: At a minimum, the state agency must authorize more than one variety of juice (e.g., orange, tomato, etc.). | Substitution Option: N/A Forms: fresh, concentrated, frozen, canned, or shelf-stable Combinations of single-strength and concentrated juices may be issued provided that the total volume does not exceed the maximum monthly allowance (MMA) for single-strength juice. Organic Additional state agency criteria |
| Breakfast Cereal (ready-to-eat and instant and regular hot cereals) | Required Substitution: N/A More-than-one provision: At a minimum, the state agency must authorize more than one cereal grain (whole wheat, oat, corn, etc.). At least 75% of cereals on the state authorized foods list (AFL) must meet whole grain criteria. | Substitution Option: N/A More than 75% of cereals on the state AFL can meet whole grain criteria (up to 100%). Organic Additional state agency criteria |
| Whole Wheat Bread, Whole Grain Bread (includes buns and rolls) | Required Substitution: N/A More-than-one provision: At a minimum, the state agency must authorize more than one of these breads (i.e., whole wheat bread and whole grain bread, or whole wheat bread and 100% whole wheat rolls). | Substitution Option: Authorize any of the whole grain options listed in Table 4 (7 CFR 246.10(e)(12)) Additional state agency criteria |
| Fruits and Vegetables (CVV/B) | Required Substitution: N/A More-than-one provision: N/A Forms: Fresh and one other form (dried, frozen, canned) Organic May not selectively choose which WIC-eligible fruits and vegetables to authorize. | Substitution Option: N/A Forms: Authorize more than two forms. Authorize fresh herbs 3 Authorize larger package sizes of fresh produce Additional state agency criteria |
| Eggs | Required Substitutions:
More-than-one provision: N/A | Substitution Options:
Forms: fresh shell, dried, liquid; hard boiled (for homeless only) Organic Brown or other eggshell colors Size (medium, large, etc.) Additional state agency criteria |
| Peanut Butter | Required Substitution: 1 pound dry or 64 ounce canned mature legumes More-than-one provision: N/A | Substitution Option:18 ounce nut or seed butter Organic Additional state agency criteria |
| Mature Legumes (beans and peas) | Required Substitution: 18 ounce peanut butter More-than-one provision: At a minimum, the state agency must authorize more than one type of legume (e.g., black beans and kidney beans). Forms: Dried and canned | Substitution Option:18 ounce nut or seed butter Type: Baked beans- only for participants with limited cooking facilities. Organic Additional state agency criteria |
| Canned Fish | Required Substitution: N/A More-than-one provision: At a minimum, the state agency must authorize more than one variety (e.g., salmon and light tuna). | Substitution Option:N/A Type: Boneless or skinless, added sauces and flavorings (e.g., tomato sauce, mustard). Packed in water or oil Wild-caught or farm-raised Additional state agency criteria |
| Infant Cereal (6-11 months) | Required Substitution: N/A More-than-one provision: At a minimum, the state agency must authorize more than one cereal grain (e.g., oat and multi-grain). | Substitution Option:N/A Organic Additional state agency criteria |
| Infant Food Fruits and Vegetables (6-11 months) | Required Substitution: N/A More-than-one provision: At a minimum, the state agency must authorize more than one variety of infant fruits (e.g., apples and pears). A combination of two or more types (e.g., apple-banana) is considered one variety. At a minimum, the state agency must authorize more than one variety of infant vegetables (e.g., butternut squash and sweet potato). A combination of two or more types (e.g., carrots-peas) is considered one variety. | Substitution Option (applies to both infant fruits and infant vegetables, e.g., cannot apply only to fruits):
A state agency exercising the CVV/B substitution option must authorize fresh and at least one other form (frozen or canned).5 Organic Additional state agency criteria |
| Infant Meat (6-11 months) | Required Substitution: N/A More-than-one provision: At a minimum, the state agency must authorize more than one variety (e.g., chicken and beef). | Substitution Option: N/A Allowing added broth or gravy Organic Additional state agency criteria |
1 State agencies have the administrative option to make the CVV/B the default and substitute juice upon request but may not issue a partial CVV/B substitution for juice. They also must inform participants about the juice benefit they’re entitled to as a Program participant (7 CFR 246.10(b)(2)(ii)(A) and 246.11(a)(1)) and tailor as appropriate.
2 FNS will adjust the CVV/B substitution amount annually for inflation, consistent with fruit and vegetable CVV/B adjustments in 7 CFR 246.16(j).
3 WIC State agencies may authorize fresh herbs. If they do so, they may not selectively choose which WIC-eligible herbs to offer (e.g., authorize fresh basil but not fresh thyme).
4 These CVV/B substitution amounts represent regulatory baseline amounts. FNS will adjust both CVV/B substitution amounts annually for inflation, consistent with fruit and vegetable CVV/B adjustments in 7 CFR 246.16(j).
5 Dried fruits and vegetables are not authorized for infants (7 CFR 246.10(e)(9)).