Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC)
Need help? If you have difficulty understanding English or have a disability, free language assistance or other aids and services are available upon request. Please contact your Local WIC Clinic agency for more information.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
for Women, Infants, and Children — better known as the WIC Program — serves to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding people, infants, and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health care. Read the TOA WIC 2023 Annual Report.
Nationally, WIC is maintained by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), a federal agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In Maine, WIC is administered by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and 8 partner agencies at the local level. In Cumberland County, The Opportunity Alliance is responsible for WIC and operates offices in Portland and Windham, along with satellite clinics in South Portland, Westbrook, Bridgton, and Brunswick. Maine WIC benefits are distributed via eWIC cards assigned to each active WIC family. Once active, participants can connect eWIC cards to the WIC Shopper App, available for free download from the App store for a variety of smart phones. Once downloaded and eWIC card information entered, WIC Shopper displays the family food benefit balance in real time, lists upcoming appointment information, and offers links to recipes and nutrition education. The WIC Shopper App is available in multiple languages.
The Opportunity Alliance WIC team is trained in nutrition, public health and breastfeeding and includes registered dietitians (RDs), licensed dietetic technicians (DTRs), international board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs), certified lactation counselors (CLCs), breastfeeding peer counselors (BFPC) and other administrative professionals.
WIC Serves Maine residents who are:
Pregnant
Breastfeeding infants under age 1 year
Postpartum, up to 6 months if not breastfeeding
Infants
Children up to age 5 years
Infants and children receiving WIC may participate while in the legal care of mothers, fathers, grandparents, foster parents, stepparents, or assigned legal guardians.
Eligible on the basis of income — applicants' income must fall at or below 185 percent of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines (currently $49,025/year for a family of four). A person who receives MaineCare, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits automatically meet the income eligibility requirement. See Income Guidelines Here
Fruits & vegetables (fresh, frozen or canned)
Cows milk (liquid or powdered) or soy beverage
Cheese & yogurt
Tofu
Eggs
Fortified breakfast cereal
Peanut butter
Whole grain bread, oatmeal, brown rice, tortillas and whole wheat pasta
Beans, dried or canned
Canned tuna, salmon or sardines
100% juice, bottles or concentrate
Baby food and infant cereal
Infant formula (currently Abbott products)
The Opportunity Alliance WIC Breastfeeding Program includes prenatal breastfeeding education, and postnatal support including no-cost loaner hospital-grade electric breast pumps and accessories, no-cost hand pumps and passive milk collectors, clinical and peer support via phone, text and in-person appointments at the Portland and Windham offices, educational materials and answers about common questions, concerns and challenges such as clogged ducts, latch issues and navigating maintaining breastmilk supply while separated from baby. To reach the breastfeeding team, call 207-553-5861 or email breastfeeding@opportunityalliance.org .
Click Here to Learn More About SNAP-ED Resources
SNAP is federally-funded and provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency.
Resources
Phone: (207) 553-5800
Fax: (207) 874-1155
TOAwic@opportunityalliance.orgFor interpretation services call 207-553-5800, say “WIC” and state the language needed, callers will be connected with an interpreter or, in some instances, will receive an immediate call back with an interpreter.
Anna Bullett, MS RD LD Senior Director of Health & Nutrition 207-553-5800 anna.bullett@opportunityalliance.org
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Informational Brochure
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2018 TOA WIC Case Study Poster: Breastfeeding During Incarceration, A Success Story
locations
Bridgton Bridgton Head Start- 8 Meadow Street Bridgton, ME 04009
Hours: 2nd & 4th Monday of each month: 9am – 3:30pmBrunswick TBA
Portland
190 Lancaster Street, Suite 310
Portland, ME 04101
Hours: Mon, Wed — Fri: 8am - 5pm, Tues: 10am - 6:30pmSouth Portland The Opportunity Alliance - 50 Lydia Lane South Portland, ME 04106
Hours: 2nd & 4th Friday of each month: 8:30am – 4:30pmWestbrook Westbrook Warren Congregational Church 810 Main Street Westbrook, ME 04092
Hours: Every Wednesday: 8:30am – 3:30pmWindham Sebago Commons - 32 Tandberg Trail Windham, ME 04062
Hours: Every Tues, 2nd & 4th Thurs, & 3rd Fri of each month: 8am – 5pmDuring inclement weather, please call 207-553-5800 for up-to-date information about closures or delays and check local news stations.