If you are a new mom or an expectant mother, you might be wondering what WIC is all about and how to locate a WIC store. This guide is here to help you understand what WIC is, how it works, and where to find a WIC store.
What is WIC?
WIC is the USDA Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. WIC provides nutrition and breastfeeding services and supplemental foods to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to their 5th birthday.
WIC gives you resources, knowledge and tools to help you and support your family.
It’s free for moms, dads, grandparents, foster parents and all in Berkeley, California families who qualify.
Eligibility for WIC
To be eligible for WIC in Berkeley, California, you must meet the following criteria:
- Live in the state where you apply for WIC.
- Be a pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum woman, an infant, or a child under the age of five.
- Be at nutritional risk, which means that there is a medical or dietary condition that can be improved by participating in the WIC program.
- Meet the income guidelines in Berkeley, California, which vary by state.
Benefits of WIC
There are four key parts to the WIC program:
1. Healthy Foods. WIC foods include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, peanut butter/beans, cereal, juice, infant foods and formula.
2. Breastfeeding Support. WIC provides breastfeeding education, support, and breast pumps to qualifying participants.
3. Nutrition Education. Nutrition information, tools and solutions for parenting, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
4. Health Care Referrals. Personalized referrals to health services and other community resources.
How to apply for WIC
To apply for WIC in Berkeley, California, follow these steps:
1. Find a local WIC agency: Use the WIC agency locator on your state Department of Health and Human Services website to find a WIC agency near you.
2. Make an appointment: Call the WIC agency to schedule an appointment. Be prepared to provide information about your income, residency, and family size.
3. Attend the appointment: At the appointment, you will meet with a WIC staff member who will assess your nutritional risk and provide nutrition education.
4. Receive WIC checks: If you are eligible, you will receive WIC checks that can be used to purchase WIC-approved foods at a WIC store.
What to expect during the WIC appointment
- Check your height and weight to determine your body mass index (BMI).
- Take a blood sample to test for anemia.
- Discuss your medical and dietary history to determine your nutritional risk.
- Provide nutrition education on healthy eating, breastfeeding, and infant feeding.
WIC Stores
WIC benefits are widely accepted for eligible food items at various stores in Berkeley, California:
Stores Accept WIC Card in Berkeley, California
7 Eleven Store 14202A
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 8/28/2014
Address :
1540 Solano Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94707.
Get Directions
7 Eleven Store 2369 36482A
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 12/26/2013
Address :
2000 San Pablo Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
7-Eleven 16192E
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 2/6/2009
Address :
2887 College Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94705.
Get Directions
7-Eleven 17582
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 4/28/2009
Address :
2601 Telegraph Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94704.
Get Directions
7-Eleven Store 18855D
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 3/8/2017
Address :
1501 University Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94703.
Get Directions
99 Cents Only Stores 289
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 4/29/2008
Address :
1941 San Pablo Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
Alex Market
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 8/4/2021
Address :
2440 Sacramento St,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
Ashby Super Market
Store Details :
- Type: Small Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 11/25/2019
Address :
2948 Martin Luther King Jr Way,
Berkeley, CA 94703.
Get Directions
BERKELEY BOWL MARKETPLACE
Store Details :
- Type: Super Store
- Authorization Date: 1/1/1930
Address :
2020 Oregon St,
Berkeley, CA 94703.
Get Directions
Berkeley Bowl West
Store Details :
- Type: Super Store
- Authorization Date: 4/15/2014
Address :
920 Heinz Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94710.
Get Directions
Berkeley Student Food Collective
Store Details :
- Type: Food Buying Co-op
- Authorization Date: 4/25/2012
Address :
2440 Bancroft Way,
Berkeley, CA 94704.
Get Directions
Bings Lilquor
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 4/18/2008
Address :
1801 San Pablo Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
BOMBAY SPICE HOUSE
Store Details :
- Type: Medium Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 4/30/2005
Address :
1036 University Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94710.
Get Directions
C&l Convience Store
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 4/30/2021
Address :
2361 San Pablo Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
Campus Mini Mart
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 6/28/2018
Address :
2200 Durant Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94704.
Get Directions
City Lee Market
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 8/19/2021
Address :
2700 Martin Luther King Jr Way,
Berkeley, CA 94703.
Get Directions
Colusa Market
Store Details :
- Type: Medium Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 10/29/2021
Address :
406 Colusa Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94707.
Get Directions
CVS 10121
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 5/1/2013
Address :
2655 Telegraph Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94704.
Get Directions
CVS Pharmacy 3026
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 4/29/2009
Address :
2300 Shattuck Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94704.
Get Directions
CVS Pharmacy 9941
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 5/6/2009
Address :
1451 Shattuck Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94709.
Get Directions
Derby Food Center No
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 5/12/2021
Address :
2707 College Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94705.
Get Directions
Dollar Tree 3454
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 9/4/2008
Address :
2440 Shattuck Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94704.
Get Directions
E-z Stop Deli
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 6/20/2019
Address :
2233 Shattuck Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94704.
Get Directions
Easy Market
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 2/27/2013
Address :
3045 San Pablo Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
Ecology Center Farmers Market Tuesday S Berkley
Store Details :
- Type: Farmer's Market
- Authorization Date: 7/22/1981
Address :
63rd St & Adeline St,
Berkeley, CA 94704.
Get Directions
Ecology Center Farmers' Market - Saturday Downtown
Store Details :
- Type: Farmer's Market
- Authorization Date: 3/19/2018
Address :
Center St & MLK Wy,
Berkeley, CA 94704.
Get Directions
Ecology Center Farmers' Market - Thursday N. Berk
Store Details :
- Type: Farmer's Market
- Authorization Date: 3/19/2018
Address :
Shattuck Ave. & Rose St.,
Berkeley, CA 94703.
Get Directions
Food Town Market
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 8/12/2008
Address :
3049 Sacramento St,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
Franklin Bros. Market
Store Details :
- Type: Small Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 9/22/2014
Address :
901 Bancroft Way,
Berkeley, CA 94710.
Get Directions
Halah Food Market
Store Details :
- Type: Medium Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 12/26/2007
Address :
1964 San Pablo Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
INDUS FOOD CENTER
Store Details :
- Type: Medium Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 9/16/2019
Address :
1920 San Pablo Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
J And B Fine Foods
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 10/10/2018
Address :
3242 Adeline St,
Berkeley, CA 94703.
Get Directions
Kathmandu Market And Deli
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 3/23/2018
Address :
2521 Telegraph Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94704.
Get Directions
M & H MARKET
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 5/4/2011
Address :
3198 Adeline St,
Berkeley, CA 94703.
Get Directions
Mi Rancho Bayside Market
Store Details :
- Type: Medium Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 4/14/2020
Address :
2032 San Pablo Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
MI TIERRA FOODS
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 8/3/2011
Address :
2082 San Pablo Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
Middle East Market
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 11/2/2020
Address :
2054 San Pablo Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
Milan International
Store Details :
- Type: Medium Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 8/19/2014
Address :
990 University Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94710.
Get Directions
MONTEREY FOODS
Store Details :
- Type: Super Store
- Authorization Date: 1/1/1930
Address :
1550 Hopkins St,
Berkeley, CA 94707.
Get Directions
Oceanview Market
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 2/20/1986
Address :
1468 6th St,
Berkeley, CA 94710.
Get Directions
Sacramento Market
Store Details :
- Type: Medium Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 5/8/2009
Address :
2974 Sacramento St,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
SAFEWAY 676
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 1/1/1930
Address :
1500 Solano Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94707.
Get Directions
Safeway 691
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 10/5/2012
Address :
1444 Shattuck Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94709.
Get Directions
Safeway Community Market 2451
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 2/10/2017
Address :
1850 Solano Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94707.
Get Directions
Safeway Community Market 2453
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 2/10/2017
Address :
1550 Shattuck Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94709.
Get Directions
South Berkeley Produce and Meat
Store Details :
- Type: Small Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 1/8/2014
Address :
3120 Sacramento St,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
Star Grocery
Store Details :
- Type: Medium Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 9/2/2020
Address :
3068 Claremont Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94705.
Get Directions
Target 3267
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 10/28/2017
Address :
1414 University Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
Target Store 3202
Store Details :
- Type: Super Store
- Authorization Date: 2/17/2015
Address :
2187 Shattuck Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94704.
Get Directions
Target Store T-1926
Store Details :
- Type: Super Store
- Authorization Date: 8/18/2005
Address :
1057 Eastshore Hwy,
Berkeley, CA 94710.
Get Directions
The Campus Store
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 8/2/2018
Address :
1804 Euclid Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94709.
Get Directions
The Local Butcher Shop
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 10/1/2012
Address :
1600 Shattuck Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94709.
Get Directions
Trader Joes 186
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 5/11/2010
Address :
1885 University Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94703.
Get Directions
University Shell 100
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 8/21/2017
Address :
1250 University Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
University Valero-Berkeley
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 1/22/2021
Address :
849 University Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94710.
Get Directions
Us Liquors
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 6/18/2019
Address :
2997 Sacramento St,
Berkeley, CA 94702.
Get Directions
Vik's Market
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 6/17/2021
Address :
2380 4th St,
Berkeley, CA 94710.
Get Directions
Walgreens 02314
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 2/17/2006
Address :
1050 Gilman St,
Berkeley, CA 94710.
Get Directions
Walgreens 04614
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 2/17/2006
Address :
2801 Adeline St,
Berkeley, CA 94703.
Get Directions
Walgreens 10045
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 6/22/2007
Address :
2310 Telegraph Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94704.
Get Directions
Walgreens 13858
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 6/23/2011
Address :
1607 Shattuck Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94709.
Get Directions
Walgreens 15025
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 8/9/2012
Address :
2190 Shattuck Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94704.
Get Directions
Whole Foods Market 10006
Store Details :
- Type: Super Store
- Authorization Date: 9/14/1990
Address :
3000 Telegraph Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94705.
Get Directions
Whole Foods Market 10530
Store Details :
- Type: Super Store
- Authorization Date: 11/4/2014
Address :
1025 Gilman St,
Berkeley, CA 94710.
Get Directions
Tips for shopping at a WIC store in Berkeley, California
Here are some tips for shopping at a WIC store in Berkeley, California:
1. Plan ahead: Before going to the store, make a list of the WIC-approved foods you need to purchase.
2. Check expiration dates: Make sure to check the expiration dates on all food items before purchasing them.
3. Don't forget your WIC checks: Make sure to bring your WIC checks with you to the store.
4. Ask for help: If you have any questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to ask a WIC store staff member for help.
Free Food Programs Summary
| Acronym | Name | For Moms & Kids | For Seniors | For Food Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| WIC | Women, Infants, and Children | Yes | No | No |
| TEFAP | The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CSFP | The Commodity Supplemental Food Program | No | Yes | Yes |
| CACFP | The Child and Adult Care Food Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| NSLP | The National School Lunch Program | Yes | No | No |
| SBP | The School Breakfast Program | Yes | No | No |
| SFSP | The Summer Food Service Program | Yes | No | No |
Federal Poverty Limit in California
| POVERTY LIMIT FOR THE 48 CONTIGUOUS STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | ||
|---|---|---|
| Persons in Family | Poverty Limit(100%) | Poverty Limit(200%) |
| 1 | $14,580 | $29,160 |
| 2 | $19,720 | $39,440 |
| 3 | $24,860 | $49,720 |
| 4 | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| 5 | $35,140 | $70,280 |
| 6 | $40,280 | $80,560 |
| 7 | $45,420 | $90,840 |
| 8 | $50,560 | $101,120 |
| For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $5,140 for each additional person. | ||
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1.What is the income limit to qualify for WIC Berkeley, California?
The income limit to qualify for WIC varies by state and household size. Check Federal Poverty Limit above for your state.
2. Can I apply for WIC if I am an undocumented immigrant?
Yes, undocumented immigrants may be eligible for WIC if they meet the other eligibility requirements. WIC is a non-cash benefit, so it does not affect immigration status.
3. How often can I visit a WIC store Berkeley, California?
WIC participants are typically required to visit a WIC store once a month to pick up their food benefits.
4. Can I use my WIC benefits at any grocery store?
No, WIC benefits can only be used at WIC-approved stores Berkeley, California.
4. Can I use my WIC card in another state ?
You can not use one state WIC card in another state. However if you relocate to another state can go to that state WIC agency to update WIC card for that state.
The new agency will verify your eligibility, and you can continue to receive benefits in the new state.
5. What should I do if I lose my WIC checks?
If you lose your WIC checks, contact your local WIC agency immediately to request replacement checks.