Hawaiʻi Food Help

WIC provides healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to other helpful services to pregnant individuals, new moms, infants, and kids under 5. Dads, grandparents, and other caregivers can apply for WIC for children in their care. Working families and non-U.S. citizens can qualify, too. If you need help stretching your grocery budget, you can start your application now, online.

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What is WIC?

WIC stands for Women, Infants and Children. WIC’s goal is to improve the health and nutrition of moms and kids. It is well known that pregnancy and early childhood are among the most important times for growth and development and WIC is here to help.

What does WIC provide?

Monthly benefits for nutritious foods:

Milk, cheese, cereal, vegetables including poi, fruits, 100% juice, whole grain products including rice, formula, eggs, tofu, baby food and more!

WIC Food List

Breastfeeding counseling and support services:

Mom to mom breastfeeding support from peer counselors
Breastfeeding counseling by a breastfeeding specialist
Breast pumps available to moms that need them
Special foods for breastfeeding moms for 6 months or longer.

Referrals to other services:

Lactation specialist
Well baby and child care
Medicaid
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps
Family planning
Head Start

How to apply

You can participate in Hawaiʻi WIC if you:

Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or had a baby in the last 6 months, or have children under 5 years old, including those cared for by a single father, grandparents, foster parent, step-parent
Live in Hawaiʻi (includes military families, immigrants and foreign students)
Have a household income matching the guidelines, OR already receive TANF, SNAP, QUEST or Medicaid.

Fill out and submit Hawaiʻi WIC pre-application online, and a WIC staff person will contact you. You can also call 586-8175 (Oahu) or toll-free at 1-888-820-6425 (Neighbor Islands) for help.

Pre-application Here

Your First Appointment

What do I need to bring to my first appointment?

Proof of identity for you and any child up to age 5 like a birth certificate, driver’s license, school ID card, or healthcare provider record
Proof of address like a rent or mortgage document, utility or cell phone bill, paystub, or a letter from a shelter.
Proof of income like paystubs, SNAP or TANF letters, Medicaid cards, or tax returns.

What should I expect?

During your first appointment a WIC representative will walk you through the eligibility process to ensure you meet the criteria.

Your representative will:

Conduct a health assessment
Provide opportunities to discuss nutrition and health concerns
Provide referrals to other medical care and services
Provide monthly benefits and education that will help you with your food budget

Remember, your child must attend your first appointment.

eWIC Card & Benefits

If you are approved for WIC, you will receive:

An eWIC benefit card and a list of foods you can buy with it.
A health and nutrition assessment for each qualifying member of your family.
Nutrition counseling focused on your needs and concerns.
Breastfeeding information and support for those interested.
Referrals to other programs and services.
Flexibility to schedule in-person or remote appointments.

FAQs

How do I get WIC benefits on my WIC account?

At your WIC appointment, WIC staff will add your benefits to your family’s eWIC account. You will get a list of your family’s WIC benefits for the next three months. The list will have start and end dates for your benefits.

What is an eWIC card?

An eWIC card is like a debit card. You can use your eWIC card to buy WIC-approved foods at WIC stores. Your local agency will add your family’s benefits to your eWIC account.

Who should I contact if I have trouble with my eWIC card?

Talk to your local WIC agency staff
Visit your store’s customer service desk
Call eWIC Card Customer Service at 1-844-540-3013
Visit www.WICconnect.com

WICShopper Mobile App

App features include:

Scan foods using Scan Barcode to see what is WIC allowed.
View the WIC Allowable Foods list.
Use I Couldn't Buy This! to report a food that you think is WIC allowed and you can't buy at the store.
Look for Yummy Recipes!
Register your WIC Card and use My Benefits to see your latest benefit balance.
Find a WIC Office or a WIC Store.
Use the Produce Calculator and Cereal Calculator while you shop.

Download here for iPhone

Download here for Android

Know your WIC food benefits

You're only allowed to buy foods in your WIC food package. Even if a food scans “WIC allowed,” it may not be allowed for you to buy as part of your WIC benefits. For example, canned fish must be listed in your food package for you to buy it at the store. You have to have your WIC Card registered in your app or the app won't know what items are allowed in your family's food benefits.

Registering eWIC Card and WICShopper App

To setup your eWIC Card:

Select a 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) before using your card.
To select your PIN:
- Call the automated phone line at 1-888-347-5449
  OR
- Go to: health.hawaii.gov/wic/eWIC
- From there you will be directed to where you can select your PIN.

To setup your WICShopper App on Phone:

Install “WICShopper” from your app store.
Select Hawaii as your WIC Agency.
Register using the 16 digit number on your eWIC card.
Scan product bar codes to identify WIC-approved foods as you shop.
View your current benefits, Approved Food List, recipes, and more right from the app!

DAIRY AND SOY

Fat-free and low-fat (1%) milk for women and children 2 to 5 years
Whole milk for children 12 to 24 months
Cheese
Kosher milk and cheese
Soy milk and tofu
Yogurt

PROTEIN

Eggs
Dry beans, split peas or lentils
Canned beans
Peanut butter
Canned fish for fully breastfeeding mothers

WHOLE GRAINS

Brown rice
Tortillas (corn or whole-wheat)
Bread (whole-wheat)
Oatmeal
Whole-wheat pasta

JUICE

100% juice

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables
Vitamin C-rich 100% juice
*You can use your WIC fruits and veggie money for Poi

CEREAL

Iron-fortified and low in sugar
Many are whole grain and high in fiber
Gluten-free choices

INFANT FOODS AND FORMULA

Baby cereal
Baby food fruits and vegetables
Baby food meats for fully breastfeeding babies
Formula*

*WIC is committed to helping mothers reach their breastfeeding goals. Starting or increasing formula can decrease your breastmilk supply. If you need help to maintain your supply, please call your local WIC office. Find your local WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator here.

Hawaiʻi WIC Food List for Pregnant Women

Your WIC foods:

Are low in fat and high in fiber.
Provide nutritional variety.
Help promote a healthy weight gain and a healthy baby.

Food Package:

Cereal: 36 ounces
Whole grains: 1 pound
Fruits and vegetables: $ 47
Juice: 144 ounces (3 - 12 ounce frozen or 3 - 48oz containers)
Low-fat or fat-free milk: 4.5 gallons
Yogurt or low-fat or fat-free milk: 1 quart
Cheese: 1 pound
Eggs: 1 dozen
Beans and peanut butter: 1 pound dry or 4 cans and peanut butter 16 to 18 ounce jar

Before your baby is born, speak to a WIC counselor about choosing one of the three food packages for you and your baby.

Hawaiʻi WIC Food List for Moms and Fully Breastfeeding Babies

This food package is the largest and does not contain any formula. Moms and babies can get this food package until baby’s first birthday.

You will receive breastfeeding support throughout your baby’s first year. WIC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend you feed your baby only breastmilk for the first 6 months of life. When your baby is around 6 months old, introduce solid foods and continue to breastfeed for 2 years or longer, as desired.

Mom's Food Package

Cereal: 36oz
Whole grains: 1lb
Fruits and vegetables: $52
Juice: 144oz (3 - 12-oz frozen or 3 - 48oz containers)
Low-fat or fat-free milk: 5 gallons
Yogurt or low-fat or fat-free milk: 1 quart
Cheese: 2lbs
Eggs: 2 dozen
Beans and peanut butter: 1 pound dry or 4 cans and 16 to 18oz jar of peanut butter
Canned tuna, salmon, sardines and mackerel: 30oz

Mothers who are fully breastfeeding multiples (twins, triplets, etc.) will receive additional amounts of foods.

Baby's Food Package

When your baby is age 0-5 months:

The best and only food source your baby needs during this time is your breastmilk.

When your baby is age 6-11 months:

Infant cereal: 24oz (8 oz or 16oz containers)
Baby food fruits and vegetables: 64 containers, 4oz each
Baby food meats: 31 containers, 2.5oz each

Hawaiʻi WIC Food List for Moms and Partially Breastfeeding Babies

This package is for families who are feeding both breastmilk and formula. It contains less food than the fully breastfeeding food package but more than the formula feeding package, and it includes some formula. The amount of formula will vary depending on how much your baby needs and her age. Moms and babies can get this package until baby’s first birthday.

As a WIC mom, you will receive breastfeeding support throughout your baby’s first year.

Mom's Food Package

Cereal: 36oz
Whole grains: 1lb
Fruits and vegetables: $52
Juice: 144oz (3 - 12-oz frozen or 3 - 48oz containers)
Low-fat or fat-free milk: 4.5 gallons
Yogurt or low-fat or fat-free milk: 1 quart
Cheese: 2lbs
Eggs: 1 dozen
Beans and peanut butter: 1 pound dry or 4 cans and 16 to 18oz jar of peanut butter

Baby's Food Package

Breastfeed when you and your baby are together.

In your baby's first month:

Formula: You may be able to get 1 can of 12.4 ounce powder formula. Ask the staff at your local WIC office.

When your baby is age 1-3 months:

Formula: up to 4 cans of 12.4 ounce powder*

When your baby is age 4-5 months:

Formula: up to 5 cans of 12.4 ounce powder*

When your baby is age 6-11 months:

Formula: up to 4 cans of 12.4 ounce powder*
Infant cereal: 24 ounces (8 ounce or 16 ounce containers)
Baby food fruits and vegetables: 32 containers - 4 ounces each

*All formula amounts are approximate

Hawaii WIC Food List for Moms and Formula Feeding Babies

This package is for families who are feeding mostly formula with some breastfeeding or only formula. It includes more formula than the partially breastfeeding package, but not all the formula your baby may need. Moms who choose this package will receive foods for the first 6 months after baby is born.

If you choose this package, your baby will receive the following foods throughout her first year. You will receive foods for yourself only during the first 6 months. As a WIC mom, you will receive breastfeeding support throughout your baby’s first year.

Mom’s Food Package:

Cereal: 36 ounces
Fruits and vegetables: $ 47
Juice: 96 ounces (2 - 12-ounce frozen or 48 fluid ounces)
Low-fat or fat-free milk: 3 gallons
Yogurt or low-fat or fat-free milk: 1 quart
Cheese: 1 pound
Eggs: 1 dozen
Beans or peanut butter: 1 pound dry or 4 cans or peanut butter 16 to 18 ounce jar
The Formula Feeding food package provides these foods for six months after your baby is born. Moms who choose the Fully or
Partially Breastfeeding food packages will receive more food for one full year.

Baby’s Food Package:

Breastfeed when you and your baby are together.

When your baby is age 0-3 months

Formula: up to but no more than 9 cans of 12.4 ounce powder*

When your baby is age 4-5 months

Formula: up to but no more than 10 cans of 12.4 ounce powder*

When your baby is age 6-11 months

Formula: up to but no more than 7 cans - 12.4 ounce powder*
Infant cereal: 24 ounces (8-ounce or 16-ounce containers)
Baby food fruits and vegetables: 32 containers - 4 ounces each

*All formula amounts are approximate

Hawaiʻi WIC Food List for Children 1-2 Years

Your child’s WIC foods:

Are low in fat and high in fiber.
Provide nutritional variety.
Help promote a healthy weight.

Child’s Food Package (per child):

Cereal: 36 ounces
Whole grains: 2 pounds
Fruits and vegetables: $ 26
Juice: 128 ounces (2 - 16 ounce frozen or 64 fluid ounces)
Whole milk: 2.5 gallons
Yogurt or whole milk: 1 quart
Cheese: 1 pound
Eggs: 1 dozen
Beans: 1 pound dry or 4 cans

Hawaiʻi WIC Food List for Children 2-5 Years

How is this package different from the food package for children 1 to 2 years old?

Whole milk is replaced with low-fat (1%) or fat-free milk.
Peanut butter and canned beans are included as an alternative to dry beans.

Child’s Food Package (per child):

Cereal: 36 ounces
Whole grains: 2 pounds
Fruits and vegetables: $ 26
Juice: 128 ounces (2 - 16 ounce frozen or 64 fluid ounces)
Low-fat or fat-free milk: 2.5 gallons
Yogurt or low-fat or fat-free milk: 1 quart
Cheese: 1 pound
Eggs: 1 dozen
Beans or peanut butter: 1 pound dry or 4 cans or peanut butter 16 to 18 ounce jar