Pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to 5 years old can get help with obtaining nutritious food, thanks to a program offered through Jefferson County Public Health.

The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) supplementary food program helps young families to close the gaps in their food budgets, said Kathy Anderson, a WIC registered dietitian.

“WIC offers healthy food, helpful ideas and solutions for feeding your young ones,” said Anderson.

The WIC program provides organic fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread, breakfast cereals, milk, cheese, eggs, juice, baby foods and infant formula. The WIC food package can add $50-$100, per eligible family member, to a family’s monthly budget.

The program encourages and supports breastfeeding, with additional food for breastfeeding mothers, according to a press release.

Since 2000, the Jefferson County median household income of $46,651 has been at least $10,000 below the median for Washington state households, according to the 2014 Community Health Assessment.

A family of four with an income of $44,955 or less would qualify for WIC.

Women, infants and children who participate in Apple Health are income-eligible for WIC.

Whether the person is a parent staying home with a newborn or someone working to meet the needs of a young family, WIC is there during this time when kids are young.

FOSTER AND GRANDPARENTS

WIC also serves families with eligible foster kids and grandparents caring for their young grandchildren.

For more information or to enroll in WIC, call 385-9400 to schedule an appointment at the clinic, which has locations in Port Townsend, Chimacum and Quilcene. For more information on programs or services provided by Jefferson County Public, visit the website at

jeffersoncountypublichealth.org.