AP: New WIC rules include more money for fruits and veggies. They also expand food choices

Melissa White • April 11, 2024

The federal Women, Infants and Children program that helps pay for groceries for millions of low-income mothers, babies and young kids has announced rule changes that will emphasize and increase monthly cash vouchers for more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as provide more choices of foods from different cultures.

FILE - A woman browses produce for sale at a grocery store, Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, in New York. In final rule changes announced Tuesday, April 9, 2024, the federal program that helps millions of low-income mothers, babies and young kids will soon emphasize more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as provide a wider choice of foods from different cultures. (AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie, File)

Read Article

< Older Post Newer Post >

Coming Soon: Belcher Apartments

January 13, 2025

The Belcher Apartments is a new development located in Chicopee, Massachusetts, offering 25 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Apartments will be available for households earning less than 30% Area median Income (AMI), less than 50% AMI and 60% AMI as well as households with the ability to pay market rent.

VOC/GEAR UP Program Boasts 300 College Acceptances, Over $3 Million in Scholarships for Holyoke Grads

By Melissa White • December 12, 2024

This year’s initiative saw the highest level of participation and success since onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 312 on-the-spot college acceptances

Seen on WWLP: Valley Opportunity Council to reopen Women, Infants & Children office in Ludlow

April 11, 2024

LUDLOW, Mass. (WWLP) – The Valley Opportunity Council will reopen its Women, Infants & Children’s (WIC) office in Ludlow on Wednesday. The Ludlow office, located at 14 Chestnut Place, closed during the pandemic, and a grand re-opening ceremony is set for 10:00 a.m., according to a news release from the Valley Opportunity Council. The grand reopening ceremony will feature snacks, activities, and a raffle, and will provide information to the community about available resources offered through the WIC program. WIC is a nutrition program that serves qualified families in Massachusetts. They provide nutrition education, referrals to healthcare, and social service agencies, and a WIC card that can be redeemed at certain grocery stores and pharmacies. There are WIC offices in Chicopee, Holyoke, and Westfield. The Valley Opportunity Council also offers assistance with housing, energy, and early education. They are the largest and most diverse Community Action Agency in western Massachusetts with an annual budget of $45 million.

VOC offers over 30 community programs in a wide variety of areas throughout Hampden County in Western Massachusetts.

VOC and our correspondences are funded with a variety of sources that includes Federal Funds from various departments of the US Health and Human Services, including the Office of Community Services, which are not responsible for or endorse any of the content here.