Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program
Bangor Region Public Health and Wellness
a division of Bangor Health and Community Services
The mission of the Special Supplemental Food and Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, is to safeguard the health of limited income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and infants and children up to the age of five who are at nutrition risk. The program accomplishes its mission by providing supplemental and nutritious foods, healthy lifestyle and nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, .and referrals to other health and social service providers designed to meet the individual needs of each participant.
Who We Serve
The City of Bangor’s WIC Nutrition Program provides services to income eligible applicants in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties. Eligible participants include:
- Pregnant Women — through pregnancy and up to six weeks after birth or after pregnancy ends
- Breastfeeding Women — up to their infant’s first birthday
- Non-Breastfeeding, Postpartum Women — up to six months after the birth of an infant or after pregnancy ends
- Infants — up to their first birthday
- Children — up to their fifth birthday
The WIC Nutrition Program is not an entitlement program. Participants must meet income guidelines, a State residency requirement, and be individually determined to be at “nutritional risk” by a health professional. Participants must attend WIC appointments to receive benefits, and go through a periodic review of eligibility to continue to receive benefits
Throughout The Two County Area
In addition to serving eligible clients from its main clinic located at 103 Texas Avenue, the WIC Nutrition staff travel to eight (8) outreach sites including:
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The Importance of Breastfeeding
A major goal of the WIC Nutrition Program is to improve the nutritional status of infants, and participating mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their newborns. WIC educates all pregnant women about breastfeeding, including the numerous health, nutritional, economic and emotional benefits to both mother and baby. All pregnant participants receive individual counseling in the
Bangor office. Free breastfeeding classes are also available. Individuals are encouraged to have their support person(s) attend the educational sessions so they can assist the mother in the best way possible. After delivery, the Bangor WIC Nutrition Program also provides individual support to new mothers through a breastfeeding “warm line”, which allows participants to call in questions on matters ranging from the needs of newborns to the weaning of a toddler.
Innovative Services
Farmers Market Checks
In addition to receiving standard WIC checks which are used for the purchase of nutritionally beneficial foods, the WIC Nutrition Program offers vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables each year from June to October for children over the age of one. The vouchers can be cashed at participating Farmers Markets and Farm Stands throughout the State. Not only does this increase consumption of locally grown produce, it also boosts the local economy.
Electric Breast Pump Rental Station
Through the purchase of fifteen electric breast pumps, WIC clients who may be separated from their infants due to medical reasons, or because the mother is returning to work or to school, are eligible to rent at no cost an electric breast pump that will help them continue to breastfeed their infant.
Through outreach and innovation, the WIC Nutrition Program makes vital information and services available to at-risk women and children throughout our region.
WIC Nutrition Program Staff
Laura Honeycutt, Dietitian/Program Manager
