WIC New Food Rule: What You Need to Know


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These changes go into effect January 1, 2026.

The SD WIC Program (Women, Infants, and Children) helps families get healthy food. The USDA updates WIC guidelines and food packages every 10 years to better support the nutrition needs of moms, babies, and kids. Read below to learn about the new food packages and substitution options.

What Changed?

WIC has updated the amounts and types of foods that families can get. The new rule offers more fruits and vegetables, better food choices, and more options for cultural and personal preferences.

Let’s break it down by who gets what:

 

Infants

Exclusively Breastfed Infants
0-5 Months 
No Food Benefits  
6-11 Months 
Infant Cereal16 oz
Infant Fruits and Vegetables128 oz
Infant Meats40 oz

 

Mostly Breastfed Infants
0-3 Months 
FormulaUp to 4 cans (makes 435 fl oz)
4-5 Months 
FormulaUp to 5 cans (makes 522 fl oz)
6-11 Months 
FormulaUp to 4 cans (makes 384 fl oz)
Infant Cereal8 oz
Infant Fruits and Vegetables 128 oz

 

Limited/Non-Breastfed Infants 
0-3 Months 
Formula9 cans (makes 870 fl oz)
4-5 Months 
Formula10 cans (makes 960 fl oz)
6-11 Months  
Formula7 cans (makes 696 fl oz)
Infant Cereal8 oz
Infant Fruits and Vegetables128 oz

 

 

Substitution choices for all infants ages 6-11 months

You can choose to trade infant fruits and vegetables for regular fresh, canned, or frozen fruit and vegetable dollars. You may choose to trade half or all of the infant fruits and vegetables. 

  • Half (64 oz) = $11 for regular fruits and vegetables
  • All (128 oz) = $22 for regular fruits and vegetables

 

Children

Ages 12-23 Months
Food ItemAmount
Fruits & Vegetables (CVB)$26
100% Juice1, 64 fl oz container
Whole Milk4 Gallons
Breakfast Cereal36 oz
Whole Grains24 oz (1.5 lb) 
Eggs1 Dozen
Beans or Peanut Butter1 Container (1 lb dry beans or 64 oz canned beans or 18 oz peanut butter)
Canned Fish6 oz

 

Ages 2-4 Years
Food ItemAmount
Fruits & Vegetables (CVB)$26
100% Juice1, 64 fl oz container
Milk (low-fat or fat-free)4 Gallons
Breakfast Cereal36 oz
Whole Grains24 oz (1.5 lb) 
Eggs1 Dozen
Beans or Peanut Butter1 Container (1 lb dry beans or 64 oz canned beans or 18 oz peanut butter)
Canned Fish6 oz

 

See below for substitution choices for children. 

 

Women

Pregnant
Food ItemAmount
Fruits & Vegetables (CVB)$48
100% Juice1, 64 fl oz container
Milk (low-fat or fat-free)5.5 Gallons
Breakfast Cereal36 oz
Whole Grains48 oz (3 lb) 
Eggs1 Dozen
Beans or Peanut Butter2 Containers (1 Container= 1 lb dry beans or 64 oz canned beans or 18 oz peanut butter)
Canned Fish10 oz

 

Exclusively Breastfeeding 
Food ItemAmount
Fruits & Vegetables (CVB)$52
100% Juice1, 64 fl oz container
Milk (low-fat or fat-free)6 Gallons
Breakfast Cereal36 oz
Whole Grains48 oz (3 lb) 
Eggs2 Dozen
Beans or Peanut Butter2 Containers (1 Container= 1 lb dry beans or 64 oz canned beans or 18 oz peanut butter)
Canned Fish20 oz

 

Mostly Breastfeeding 
Food ItemAmount
Fruits & Vegetables (CVB)$52
100% Juice1, 64 fl oz container
Milk (low-fat or fat-free)5.5 Gallons
Breakfast Cereal36 oz
Whole Grains48 oz (3 lb) 
Eggs1 Dozen
Beans or Peanut Butter2 Containers (1 Container= 1 lb dry beans or 64 oz canned beans or 18 oz peanut butter)
Canned Fish15 oz

 

Postpartum Non-Breastfeeding or Limited Breastfeeding
Food ItemAmount
Fruits & Vegetables (CVB)$48
100% Juice1, 64 fl oz container
Milk (low-fat or fat-free)4 Gallons
Breakfast Cereal36 oz
Whole Grains48 oz (3 lb) 
Eggs1 Dozen
Beans or Peanut Butter1 Container (1 lb dry beans or 64 oz canned beans or 18 oz peanut butter)
Canned Fish10 oz

 

 

Substitution Choices for Children and Women

Milk can be traded for the following options

  • Cheese
    • 1 lb of cheese = 3 quarts (0.75 gallons) of milk
      • Exclusively breastfeeding women can trade up to 2 pounds
      • All other women and children can trade up to 1 pound
  • Yogurt
    • 1 quart of yogurt = 1 quart (0.25 gallons) of milk
      • Trade up to 2 quarts (0.5 gallons)
  • Tofu
    • 1 lb of tofu = 1 quart (0.25 gallons) of milk
      • Trade up to 4 quarts (1 gallon)

Eggs can be traded for the following options 

  • 1 container of peanut butter = 1 dozen eggs
  • 64 oz canned beans = 1 dozen eggs
  • 1 lb dry beans = 1 dozen eggs
  • 1 lb tofu = 1 dozen eggs

Juice can be traded for fruit and vegetable dollars

  • $3 for fruits and vegetables = 1, 64 fl oz container of juice

 

Questions? 

Ask your local WIC office for help choosing the foods that work best for your family. They can help you use your benefits and shop with confidence.