Category: Announcements || By Submitted Report

The Allegheny County Health Department is reminding WIC families that checks for the Pennsylvania Farmers Market Nutrition Program must be used by Nov. 30, or they will expire.

Pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and children 2 to 4 enrolled in WIC are eligible to receive $20 each in checks redeemable at participating farmers' markets for Pennsylvania-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. If they haven't already done so, eligible families should contact their WIC office or (412) 350-5801 to arrange pickup of their checks and get a list of farmers' markets where they can be redeemed.

Checks are still available for qualified families until Sept. 30, while supplies last.

Officials suggest using the checks before Thanksgiving, since most farmers' markets close for the season before the holiday.

The list of produce available this fall includes apples, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, squash, grapes, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, onions, parsnips, pears, plums, potatoes, pumpkins, rutabagas, sweet potatoes, turnips, yams and zucchini.

WIC is a federally funded program for pregnant or breastfeeding women, postpartum mothers and children under the age of five. Eligibility is based on income and nutritional risk.

The income limits are an annual gross income of $20,665 for a family of one; $27,991 for 2; $35,317 for 3; $42,643 for 4; $49,969 for 5; $57,295 for 6; $64,621 for 7; and $71,947 for 8, and add $7,326 for each additional member beyond 8. Unborn children are counted when the woman is pregnant.

For more information about WIC, call the Allegheny County Health Department at (412) 350-5801. If you live outside Allegheny County, call the statewide toll-free number, 1-800-WIC-WINS (1-800-942-9467).