The Women Infant and Children (WIC) program is turning 50 this year and Burlington County is celebrating with a fun-filled party featuring amusements, games, fitness classes, health screenings and more.
The Burlington County WIC 50th Anniversary Celebration will be held Thursday, Aug. 22, from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM at the Burlington County Agricultural Center, 500 Centerton Road, Moorestown. The free event is open to WIC enrollees and the general public. It will feature community vendors, a bounce house, food trucks, games, developmental and health screenings, yoga and fitness classes, smoothie making, gardening demonstrations and information kiosks related to breastfeeding, nutrition and other health topics.
“For more than 50 years, WIC has provided new and expecting mothers with nutritional support and other resources critical to their health and the health of their children,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “The program has been incredibly beneficial for the overall wellbeing of thousands of Burlington County families, and we are excited to celebrate this milestone anniversary and WIC’s impactful services.”
“WIC participation is associated with improved birth outcomes, lower infant mortality, and better child development,” added Dr. Herb Conaway, director of the Burlington County Health Department. “It’s proven to be among the most powerful and cost-effective health programs anywhere and it’s making a difference and improving health for thousands of Burlington County mothers and children.”
Crucial services
The WIC program provides supplemental food, education, health care and social service referrals and other social services to income-eligible pregnant women, new mothers and children 5-years-old or younger.
WIC households come from all parts of Burlington County and include military families residing on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. On average, more than 4,200 Burlington County mothers and children receive services from the Burlington County WIC program each month.
WIC services include supplemental nutrition assistance. Enrolled clients receive an electronic eWIC card each month that can be used like a debit card to purchase state-approved healthy foods from numerous grocery stores and other authorized locations.
Coming soon as part of the modernization of WIC food benefits will be enhancements so families have additional whole grains and greater flexibility with their individual food packages.
WIC enrollees, who are also eligible, can also receive QR codes for $50 towards the purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from participating farmers markets, including some at the weekly Burlington County Farmers Market.
Over the years, the Burlington County WIC program has also boosted support services for breastfeeding mothers, evolving from discussing breastfeeding with mothers to now offering an International Broad Certified Lactation Consultation and peer support counselors.
Burlington County WIC services are available throughout the county, including sites such as the Burlington County Health Department offices at 15 Pioneer Boulevard in Westampton, plus satellite locations in Beverly, Bordentown, Burlington City, Joint Base-McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Moorestown, Palmyra, Pemberton Township, Tabernacle and Willingboro. There are also extended hours at the Health Department offices to accommodate students and working parents.
“Burlington County’s WIC program has evolved over the last five decades, but one constant has been its commitment to helping new and expecting mothers overcome the many different challenges they face,” said Hopson. “This program and those who run it deserve to be celebrated and recognized, so we look forward to getting a big turnout at our 50th Anniversary Celebration.”
For more information about the Burlington County WIC program, visit https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/403/Women-Infant-Children-WIC-Program.