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 Lake Wales, Florida families who qualify.
Eligibility for WIC
To be eligible for WIC in Lake Wales, Florida, 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 Lake Wales, Florida, 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 Lake Wales, Florida, 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 Lake Wales, Florida:
Stores Accept WIC Card in Lake Wales, Florida
7-eleven 38684A
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 4/6/2020
Address :
2011 Highway 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33898.
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Aldi 36
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 11/7/2018
Address :
753 Thompson Nursery Rd,
Lake Wales, FL 33859.
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Bullard Citgo
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 5/22/2015
Address :
19509 Hwy 27,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Carlton Shell
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 9/9/2020
Address :
1349 State Road 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Cash Mart 1
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 1/17/2012
Address :
333 S 1st St,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Circle K 2726220
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 8/3/2009
Address :
14581 Hwy 27,
Lake Wales, FL 33859.
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Citgo Food Mart
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 9/9/2014
Address :
20500 Hwy 27,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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CVS Pharmacy 0411
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 8/1/2004
Address :
500 S 11th St,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Dollar General 12030
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 3/20/2010
Address :
306 State Road 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Dollar General 14398
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 8/19/2013
Address :
14500 US Hwy 27,
Lake Wales, FL 33859.
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Dollar General 19627
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 9/26/2018
Address :
4291 Highway 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33898.
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Dollar General 19890
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 8/29/2019
Address :
8655 Highway 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33898.
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Dollar General Store 16585
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 5/9/2016
Address :
3941 N Scenic Hwy,
Lake Wales, FL 33898.
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Dollar Tree 3713
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 10/7/2008
Address :
140 HIGHWAY 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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DOLLARTREE 7934
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 8/26/2019
Address :
301 Eagle Ridge Dr,
Lake Wales, FL 33859.
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Family Dollar 4817
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 11/9/2007
Address :
1430 State Road 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Family Dollar Store 557
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 10/18/2007
Address :
135 W Central Ave,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Gate Service Station 1218
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 12/1/2009
Address :
2950 Ridge Way,
Lake Wales, FL 33859.
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GG III SAL Store 60094
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 5/12/2005
Address :
630 State Road 60 W,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Harvest Meat Market
Store Details :
- Type: Large Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 12/6/2018
Address :
1350 State Road 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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jkfood4
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 6/26/2009
Address :
4290 N Scenic Hwy,
Lake Wales, FL 33898.
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JUNIOR'S FRESH FISH MARKET
Store Details :
- Type: Seafood Specialty
- Authorization Date: 2/5/2021
Address :
1341 State Road 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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KIRK'S COUNTRY STORE, INC
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 1/20/1995
Address :
3151 Canal Rd,
Lake Wales, FL 33898.
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La Botana
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 12/14/2009
Address :
2415 State Road 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33898.
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Lake Wales Food Mart
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 8/24/2011
Address :
3044 State Road 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33898.
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Lakewales Corner Store
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 3/13/2020
Address :
900 State Road 60 W,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Love's Travel Stop 674
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 8/7/2019
Address :
17309 Hwy 27,
Lake Wales, FL 33859.
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PUBLIX 0097
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 11/26/2003
Address :
23965 Hwy 27,
Lake Wales, FL 33859.
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PUBLIX 557
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 4/22/1996
Address :
102 STATE ROAD 60,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Race Trac 668
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 5/10/2011
Address :
1740 State Road 60,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Race Trac 82
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 5/10/2011
Address :
24224 Hwy 27,
Lake Wales, FL 33859.
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Rama Food Mart
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 4/18/2017
Address :
16311 Hwy 27,
Lake Wales, FL 33859.
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Save Way Food Mart
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 10/26/2017
Address :
328 Highway 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Scenic Citgo
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 12/21/2020
Address :
800 N Scenic Hwy,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Sunoco Food Mart
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 6/13/2017
Address :
19300 Us 27 South,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Sunoco Food Mart
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 5/6/2011
Address :
7336 State Road 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33898.
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Sweet Ellas Produce
Store Details :
- Type: Fruits/Veg Specialty
- Authorization Date: 9/22/2014
Address :
326 State Road 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Sweet Haven Market
Store Details :
- Type: Fruits/Veg Specialty
- Authorization Date: 7/16/2021
Address :
8641 Highway 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33898.
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Tip Top Food Mart
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 12/16/2008
Address :
603 N Scenic Hwy,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Walgreens 04380
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 5/6/2005
Address :
1903 State Road 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
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Walgreens 11190
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 8/6/2009
Address :
24170 Hwy 27,
Lake Wales, FL 33859.
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Walmart S/C 859
Store Details :
- Type: Super Store
- Authorization Date: 4/30/1999
Address :
2000 State Road 60 E # 60E,
Lake Wales, FL 33898.
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Waters Edge
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 6/3/2020
Address :
10730 Camp Mack Rd,
Lake Wales, FL 33898.
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Wawa 5277
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 11/20/2018
Address :
23623 US Highway 27,
Lake Wales, FL 33859.
Get Directions
WINN DIXIE 701
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 6/7/1978
Address :
1860 State Road 60 E,
Lake Wales, FL 33853.
Get Directions
Tips for shopping at a WIC store in Lake Wales, Florida
Here are some tips for shopping at a WIC store in Lake Wales, Florida:
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 Florida
| 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 Lake Wales, Florida?
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 Lake Wales, Florida?
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 Lake Wales, Florida.
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.