Baffled by WIC foods

[BakersDozen]

My dh usually does the grocery shopping however with him being out of town I am forced to brave the Memorial Day shopping frenzy. As I was wandering the aisles I noticed Cool Whip...and a "WIC Approved" sticker by the price sticker. :001_huh: Thinking this must be a mistake I looked at the other shelves with different types of Cool Whip...no mistake! WIC food includes Cool Whip.

 

I've resisted being on welfare all these years yet this may just push me over the edge! Cool Whip for free?? Where do I sign up?? :D

[LadyJ]

I have been on wic for years. Cool Whip is not a wic item. :) Someone in that store made a mistake.

[ssavings]

Maybe the stickers were supposed to be on frozen fruit or juice?

[BakersDozen]

Someone in that store made a mistake.

Maybe I should go in tonight when the crowds are gone and ask if it is a mistake. I figured maybe this is one way the gov't is trying to get a little more dairy into dc's diets? It's a rather sneaky way to go about that, though, isn't it? ;)

[DawnM]

Welfare and WIC are two different things.

 

http://www.momaroo.com/668486610/wic-stands-for-women-infants-and-children-and-it-is-not-welfare/

 

I believe food stamps would cover cool whip.

 

Dawn

 

 

My dh usually does the grocery shopping however with him being out of town I am forced to brave the Memorial Day shopping frenzy. As I was wandering the aisles I noticed Cool Whip...and a "WIC Approved" sticker by the price sticker. :001_huh: Thinking this must be a mistake I looked at the other shelves with different types of Cool Whip...no mistake! WIC food includes Cool Whip.

 

I've resisted being on welfare all these years yet this may just push me over the edge! Cool Whip for free?? Where do I sign up?? :D

[LadyJ]

It could hve been milk or juice in that spot previously. I have seen similar mistakes made when I am shopping and I try and point them out. Not that people could get away with it anyway. WIC is preprinted checks that only work for the listed items. So no one can convince the store that they need the cool whip instead of milk sadly. Haha

[Mommy_of_4]

LOL...cool whip is definitely not a WIC item. Most likely it was supposed to be on the frozen juice or frozen fruits and veggies. I am betting the cool whip is next to the frozen fruits and someone just messed up.

[frugalmama]

I have been on wic for years. Cool Whip is not a wic item. :) Someone in that store made a mistake.

 

Ditto - dd was on WIC until she aged out at 5. Cool Whip is NOT a WIC food. The likely culprit is some kid or teen who thought it would be cute to move the WIC tags, not realizing the store can get into big trouble if they are moved.

[vonfirmath]

Ditto - dd was on WIC until she aged out at 5. Cool Whip is NOT a WIC food. The likely culprit is some kid or teen who thought it would be cute to move the WIC tags, not realizing the store can get into big trouble if they are moved.

 

Really? The store can get into trouble because a customer moved the tags? Yuck

[nmoira]

Maybe I should go in tonight when the crowds are gone and ask if it is a mistake. I figured maybe this is one way the gov't is trying to get a little more dairy into dc's diets? It's a rather sneaky way to go about that, though, isn't it? ;)

I was going to write that there's no dairy in Cool Whip, but I guess there has been for the last couple years. I learned something today. :D

 

My MIL once made a dessert with Cool Whip, rice, and bits of chopped fruit (she called it Ambrosia, but I've been told it is not). My youngest tried a bit of the CW and literally wouldn't let it in her mouth, just kept her tongue stuck out over her bottom lip and frantically tried to scrape the stuff off.

[frugalmama]

Really? The store can get into trouble because a customer moved the tags? Yuck

 

They can, depending on what type of WIC tag it is. Some WIC tags are just letting you know that is a WIC eligible item, and if those are moved it's a not a big deal as they are optional for the store to have up. Other WIC tags are to identify the LEB {Least Expensive Brand} item and MUST be up AND next to the LEB item or the store can actually lose it's WIC contract and be fined.

[BakersDozen]

Welfare and WIC are two different things.

 

http://www.momaroo.com/668486610/wic...s-not-welfare/

 

That's an interesting read! I always equated anything that is taxpayer-funded with income requirements as welfare (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/welfare) - meaning not just any pg mom or her babies/kids can get on WIC. :confused:

 

Other WIC tags are to identify the LEB {Least Expensive Brand} item and MUST be up AND next to the LEB item or the store can actually lose it's WIC contract and be fined.

Is this supposed to encourage those on WIC to get the LEB rather than something like Tillamook cheese? Edited May 25, 2012 by LuvnMySvn

[DawnM]

Yum! I went to the Tillamook cheese factory last summer when I was in OR visiting relatives.

 

Yeah, I didn't realize that WIC was different until some friends got it and I knew they weren't able (qualified) to get food stamps.

 

Dawn

 

That's an interesting read! I always equated anything that is taxpayer-funded with income requirements as welfare (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/welfare) - meaning not just any pg mom or her babies/kids can get on WIC. :confused:

 

Is this supposed to encourage those on WIC to get the LEB rather than something like Tillamook cheese?

[Crimson Wife]

True Cool Whip funny: we went out for breakfast for Mother's Day at Coco's (which is kind of like Denny's or IHOP but with somewhat better food). We allowed DD to get hot chocolate to drink. She complained that the whipped cream tasted funny. I said that it was probably not real whipped cream but Cool Whip.

 

She gave me a blank look.

 

DH then said, "you know, Cool Whip is fake whipped cream like Miracle Whip is fake mayo."

 

DD: "Miracle Whip?"

 

Goes to show how much has changed since the '80's when I was 9 y.o. My mom never bought Cool Whip or Miracle Whip either but I certainly knew what they were. And here my DD doesn't blink at all the gourmet food items I never even heard of until I was an adult- quinoa, hummus, kefir, edamame, tempeh, seitan, etc. :lol:

[Mommy_of_4]

That's an interesting read! I always equated anything that is taxpayer-funded with income requirements as welfare (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/welfare) - meaning not just any pg mom or her babies/kids can get on WIC. :confused:

 

Is this supposed to encourage those on WIC to get the LEB rather than something like Tillamook cheese?

 

Some things like milk and cheese you can only get the LEB.

[jennynd]

That's an interesting read! I always equated anything that is taxpayer-funded with income requirements as welfare (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/welfare) - meaning not just any pg mom or her babies/kids can get on WIC. :confused:

 

 

if it is not a welfare, why a income requirement. I will like consultation on nutrition for baby too. DD was diagnosed fail to thrive when she was a baby. Where were my help. No fair

[Belacqua]

True Cool Whip funny: we went out for breakfast for Mother's Day at Coco's (which is kind of like Denny's or IHOP but with somewhat better food). We allowed DD to get hot chocolate to drink. She complained that the whipped cream tasted funny. I said that it was probably not real whipped cream but Cool Whip.

 

She gave me a blank look.

 

DH then said, "you know, Cool Whip is fake whipped cream like Miracle Whip is fake mayo."

 

DD: "Miracle Whip?"

 

Goes to show how much has changed since the '80's when I was 9 y.o. My mom never bought Cool Whip or Miracle Whip either but I certainly knew what they were. And here my DD doesn't blink at all the gourmet food items I never even heard of until I was an adult- quinoa, hummus, kefir, edamame, tempeh, seitan, etc. :lol:

 

Definitely a different food era. :)

 

My grandmother used to freeze tubs of Cool Whip (or its delightful generic equivalent) and tell me it was ice cream. Imagine my surprise when I went to school and found out what ice cream was supposed to taste like.

[Walking-Iris]

I used to work at a Kroger's in college and Cool Whip is definitely not a WIC approved item. Nor are foods covered by food stamps labeled. Also it wouldn't matter if someone moved a label because before a cashier can't ring up a WIC purchase they enter a key in the register. It's happened to me more times that I can count where I've had to send someone back because the cheese or infant cereal they had wasn't WIC and no matter how they tried to get around it the register simply would not allow it to be scanned.

 

But don't get me started on WIC--I think it's a bunch of crap. Until the govt decides it will help these people get truly nutritious foods like organic milk and infant cereal etc and more breastfeeding support I got nothing but dislike of that whole program.

[fraidycat]

True Cool Whip funny: we went out for breakfast for Mother's Day at Coco's (which is kind of like Denny's or IHOP but with somewhat better food). We allowed DD to get hot chocolate to drink. She complained that the whipped cream tasted funny. I said that it was probably not real whipped cream but Cool Whip.

 

She gave me a blank look.

 

DH then said, "you know, Cool Whip is fake whipped cream like Miracle Whip is fake mayo."

 

DD: "Miracle Whip?"

 

Goes to show how much has changed since the '80's when I was 9 y.o. My mom never bought Cool Whip or Miracle Whip either but I certainly knew what they were. And here my DD doesn't blink at all the gourmet food items I never even heard of until I was an adult- quinoa, hummus, kefir, edamame, tempeh, seitan, etc. :lol:

 

Some of my kids favorite foods include hummus, quinoa, and sushi - all things I'd never heard of until I was an adult. The "oooooh SUSHI!!!" I heard screamed across the restaurant was MY child all excited at the buffet line with DH a few days ago. LOL

 

My mom DID buy the miracle whip and cool whip along with the real deal, so I did experience both as a child. :)

 

I don't agree with WIC. I especially don't like being in the checkout line behind WIC purchasers where they have two piles. WIC stuff, then all the other nutritionally devoid and unnecessary candy, booze, cigarettes and more often than not, new toys for ill-behaved children. Yes, I happen be a judgmental biatch, sometimes. Here's my caveat: I don't care what you buy with your money, but don't do it on the taxpayers' dime.

Edited May 25, 2012 by fraidycat

[Heatherwith4]

Cool Whip is disgusting and delicious at the same time, IMO. I do prefer real whipped cream, though. :p

 

BTW, I know the OP wasn't trying to start anything, but are we really having the whole ugly welfare discussion again, and especially this soon?

[nova147]

Definitely a different food era. :)

 

My grandmother used to freeze tubs of Cool Whip (or its delightful generic equivalent) and tell me it was ice cream. Imagine my surprise when I went to school and found out what ice cream was supposed to taste like.

 

Dang. Too late to fool my kids with that. That woud have been a good one!

[Amy in NH]

 

But don't get me started on WIC--I think it's a bunch of crap. Until the govt decides it will help these people get truly nutritious foods like organic milk and infant cereal etc and more breastfeeding support I got nothing but dislike of that whole program.

 

Um, I got breastfeeding support from WIC including monthly consultation with a lactation specialist and free use of a $500 Medela electric double breastpump when I was working and my oldest son was in daycare. Also, the food choices available to breastfeeding mothers are different than what is provided for bottle-fed infants.

Edited May 26, 2012 by Amy in NH

[frugalmama]

Um, I got breastfeeding support from WIC including monthly consultation with a lactation specialist and free use of a $500 Medela electric double breastpump when I was working and my oldest son was in daycare. Also, the food choices available to breastfeeding mothers is different than what is provided for bottle-fed infants.

 

Same here, except I got a $100+ Ameda pump instead of the Medela. And WIC is a LOT more nutritious than it used to be - now you get fresh veggies and fruit, and less milk.

[dalynnrmc]

if it is not a welfare, why a income requirement. I will like consultation on nutrition for baby too. DD was diagnosed fail to thrive when she was a baby. Where were my help. No fair

 

 

Actually, you can qualify for WIC on EITHER income OR nutrition. A baby with failure to thrive absolutely WOULD qualify, regardless of income.

 

And until very, very recently WIC was funded exclusively by The United Way. No taxpayer dollars whatsoever, until the charitable donations went down enough that UW decided they needed some help and now it's state supplemented.

 

FWIW.

[Pamela H in Texas]

I'm *sure* people hate to be behind *me* with WIC foods. Unfortunately, foster families get a card for each kid so I will have multiple orders, not just one of WIC foods (we use a card so at least they don't have to write on the checks anymore). And we most certainly buy junk food as well as healthier foods with cash.

 

We get it because of fostering (foster kids automatically get it); but seriously? It isn't like we're talking low-income for WIC. A family of 5 can make $48,415. That is a fairly respectable income, more than $20/hour.

[DawnM]

Right. There IS an income requirement, but it is not the same level as welfare/food stamps level.

 

I don't know the details of the income requirements.

 

Dawn

 

I'm *sure* people hate to be behind *me* with WIC foods. Unfortunately, foster families get a card for each kid so I will have multiple orders, not just one of WIC foods (we use a card so at least they don't have to write on the checks anymore). And we most certainly buy junk food as well as healthier foods with cash.

 

We get it because of fostering (foster kids automatically get it); but seriously? It isn't like we're talking low-income for WIC. A family of 5 can make $48,415. That is a fairly respectable income, more than $20/hour.

[jennynd]

Actually, you can qualify for WIC on EITHER income OR nutrition. A baby with failure to thrive absolutely WOULD qualify, regardless of income.

 

And until very, very recently WIC was funded exclusively by The United Way. No taxpayer dollars whatsoever, until the charitable donations went down enough that UW decided they needed some help and now it's state supplemented.

 

FWIW.

 

I wish I knew that. my pedi didn't send me to nutritionist until DD's weight fall off the chart (from 50%) and that was 5 months wait. to see the nutrients.

Don't get me wrong, I think the program is wonderful just wish that I knew that I could be qualify

Edited May 26, 2012 by jennynd

[BakersDozen]

Some things like milk and cheese you can only get the LEB.

Interesting to know...is this a new thing because the last time I was at a friend's house (2007) her freezer was quite full of Tillamook cheese (yum...Tillamook cheese!!! :)). I often wondered if things would change to only being allowed to purchase a less expensive brand.

 

Um, I got breastfeeding support from WIC including monthly consultation with a lactation specialist and free use of a $500 Medela electric double breastpump

:ohmy: Seriously??? I won't even tell you how much I've shelled out for breastpumps over the years, this last time especially! I wish this service was offered to all new moms or that the income requirement was waived for pump use! Do you get to keep the pump or do you have to return it? I had a friend who got a pump every time she had a baby and offered to sell it to me when she was done which seemed odd to me that she would just be given such a thing (hers was the $100 model) and not have to return it. I never bought her pumps, btw, just because I wasn't sure it was legal for her to resell something like that.

 

BTW, I know the OP wasn't trying to start anything, but are we really having the whole ugly welfare discussion again, and especially this soon?

We can focus the thread on Cool Whip instead! :D

[LaxMom]

I'm :lol: at the Cool Whip. Last time I read someone wax on about the "wonders" of WIC, it was trying to figure out what to do with the growing stockpile of mandatory tuna and milk! I was thinking they'd come a long way in giving people the ability to make their own food selections (or "food", in the case of Cool Whip) from approved items.

 

My mother ate frozen CW out of the tub and claimed it was just like ice cream, too. :ack2: and, last I checked, the label said "non-dairy", though that was probably 30 years ago while I was trying to employ logic in the argument that it was not like ice cream at all.

 

Eta: the $100 pumps are single user. The $500 pumps are sealed and appropriate for multiple users with new tubing and such. I would guess some places had enough of a problem getting the loaners back (or back in time) that it was more cost effective to get the single user ones. Or maybe, they had so many breastfeeding mamas, they simply didn't have enough $ to supply everyone with a loaner at the same time, so they spread the $500 to five people (with pumps that can be used more than once, by them). :)

 

It is legal to sell a pump, but you may have trouble getting new tubing and whatnot. Medela was very persnickety when I needed new tubing kits when my boys were born... They wanted us to give them the receipt details from when we bought it almost 4 years prior. As if!

Edited May 26, 2012 by MyCrazyHouse

[Jpoy85]

WIC has changed in the last 7yrs. When N was little was it just cereal, juice, formula, milk pretty much...now? fruits, veggies, cereal, cheese, etc. Amazing!

 

Yes you have to give back the Breastpump. Yes there is help to BF moms (had it with L).

 

You can be on WIC until child is 5.

 

FTT children CAN be on WIC. You can get Pediasure on WIC. I had to for L

[frugalmama]

WIC has changed in the last 7yrs. When N was little was it just cereal, juice, formula, milk pretty much...now? fruits, veggies, cereal, cheese, etc. Amazing!

 

Yes you have to give back the Breastpump. Yes there is help to BF moms (had it with L).

 

You can be on WIC until child is 5.

 

FTT children CAN be on WIC. You can get Pediasure on WIC. I had to for L

 

Only in some states do you have to give it back - here you don't. I still have mine from dd - the lactation consultant told me to keep it as they won't give you a second one within 10 years of the first.

 

dd had to have an elemental formula due to her severe food allergies after she weaned at 13 months while still 99% BF when I was sick. WIC was a godsend then - her formula would have cost me over $1k a month without it, and she needed it for a year.

[Gingerbread Mama]

I think it's great that the foods have changed. We were on WIC with my youngest, and I remember being 'allowed' TONS of juice and cereal. I won't say it didn't help, it did, but fresh produce would've been great!

 

And....Cool Whip....:ack2:

[happypamama]

WIC varies a lot from state to state. In my state, you don't have to get the LEB of milk, cheese, etc. You are prohibited from buying organic, but you can at least get hormone-free milk and cheese. You are allowed to buy organic fresh or frozen veggies/fruits with the produce vouchers, but they do tell you that you won't get as much, because those are for specific dollar amounts. And I hear the breastfeeding support varies; I've worked with several lactation consultants, midwives, etc. and have never seen anything that promotes breastfeeding (even extended BF'ing) like the WIC office right around here. It's not a perfect program, but there have been several positive changes in the past couple of years for WIC.

 

ETA: Cool Whip would not be a WIC food in my state.

Edited May 26, 2012 by happypamama

[cjzimmer1]

They can, depending on what type of WIC tag it is. Some WIC tags are just letting you know that is a WIC eligible item, and if those are moved it's a not a big deal as they are optional for the store to have up. Other WIC tags are to identify the LEB {Least Expensive Brand} item and MUST be up AND next to the LEB item or the store can actually lose it's WIC contract and be fined.

 

I wonder if this is a new program they are trying out or state specific. It is definitely not used around here. We were on WIC last winter when my DH was unemployed and there is nothing about LEB in the literature or in the store displays. Never heard of it outside this thread. I was always able to get name brand cereals or generics my choice, just not the sugar loaded stuff like Lucky Charms. Same with juice, any brand that didn't have added sugar was allowed. The only restriction on cheese was no baby swiss (but regular swiss was allowed) and no individually wrapped cheese sticks.

[Amy in NH]

Interesting to know...is this a new thing because the last time I was at a friend's house (2007) her freezer was quite full of Tillamook cheese (yum...Tillamook cheese!!! :)). I often wondered if things would change to only being allowed to purchase a less expensive brand.

 

My kids had WIC between 1994 and 2010 and we had only ever been able to get particular brands of each food offered on the voucher. They hand out a brochure with a list, and the supermarkets are not allowed to give you a substitute.

 

 

:ohmy: Seriously??? I won't even tell you how much I've shelled out for breastpumps over the years, this last time especially! I wish this service was offered to all new moms or that the income requirement was waived for pump use! Do you get to keep the pump or do you have to return it?

 

We had to sign it out and then return it when we were finished with it. The breastfeeding counselor had an office with shelves full of them.

 

You might want to look into it more closely if you need one in the future. The income guidelines in 2010 were 150% of poverty level, which would be pretty high for a family of nine. Someone else posted about a nutritional need, but I don't know much about that requirement.

 

ETA: For those with a cupboard full of tuna: You don't have to get everything on every voucher if you already have enough or just won't use it.

Just before my youngest turned 5, they changed it to include more fresh fruits and vegetables, and less juice. I didn't like the new requirements about low-fat milk only, though, as my kids are all skinny and I only feed them whole milk.

Edited May 26, 2012 by Amy in NH

[AHASRADA]

Funny, I've never heard of store vouchers for WIC. In my home state, the WIC man delivers every week or 2, and that's it. SIL was on it till her ds aged out last year. Milk, cheese, oatmeal or other cereal and peanut butter were delivered to her door based on her approved allotment. She gave us a lot of oatmeal and PB, because her family of 5 couldn't use it all (a ration for 1 dc under 5!). Her dh loved the cheddar cheese. I think the 5yo mostly just drank the milk.

 

They have 2 cars and make regular trips to the grocery store, so a voucher system would save the program big $$ in delivery costs, but I think they deliver to ensure the mom and child are getting the food ( in case they have transportation issues).

 

Now, back to Cool Whip, I actually prefer it to real whipped cream (gasp!). It's what I grew up on, and the real stuff just tastes weird, not sweet enough, maybe?

 

Oh, and my mom and I also make ambrosia salad; it's a huge hit at parties: a tub of Cool Whip, can of fruit cocktail w/cherries (sometimes a small can of pineapple bits as well) and some sweetened dried coconut. Stir and serve. Yum!

[nmoira]

Oh, and my mom and I also make ambrosia salad; it's a huge hit at parties: a tub of Cool Whip, can of fruit cocktail w/cherries (sometimes a small can of pineapple bits as well) and some sweetened dried coconut. Stir and serve. Yum!

That's what I've been told it is. I don't know if the rice is MIL's addition, or if it's a Kansas thing (she grew up there).

 

ETA: It does matter what you grow up with. I've read about how people raised on "fake" maple syrup prefer it to the real thing.

 

Here's an interesting article from Edible Geography from awhile back:

Fake Cinnamon Joins Artificial Vanilla and Wins

Edited May 26, 2012 by nmoira

[Amy in NH]

 

Now, back to Cool Whip, I actually prefer it to real whipped cream (gasp!). It's what I grew up on, and the real stuff just tastes weird, not sweet enough, maybe?

 

Oh, and my mom and I also make ambrosia salad; it's a huge hit at parties: a tub of Cool Whip, can of fruit cocktail w/cherries (sometimes a small can of pineapple bits as well) and some sweetened dried coconut. Stir and serve. Yum!

 

Cool whip is yuck. But my Mom used to make a similar Ambrosia salad that included pineapple, maraschino cherries, mandarin orange slices, and mini marshmallows.

[frugalmama]

Cool whip is yuck. But my Mom used to make a similar Ambrosia salad that included pineapple, maraschino cherries, mandarin orange slices, and mini marshmallows.

 

We make the same thing with Cool Whip, except ours also has dry jello powder and cottage cheese mixed in. We call it Pink Stuff {we normally use strawberry jello}, but the original name was blondie salad.

[Night Elf]

We make the same thing with Cool Whip, except ours also has dry jello powder and cottage cheese mixed in. We call it Pink Stuff {we normally use strawberry jello}, but the original name was blondie salad.

 

We use Cool Whip to make Fluff. We add a packet of fat-free sugar-free pudding mix, mandarin oranges, fruit cocktail and either blueberries or cherries. We use either banana or cheesecake pudding mix. We keep a batch in the refrigerator all the time because it's a great sweet low-cal snack.

[Walking-Iris]

It depends on where you live. My oldest was born in TN and I received assistance from a lactation consultant and a handheld Isis pump (that I didn't have to return) and nursing bras. Actually i got the distinct feeling the lady was helping me so much because it was a rare breastfeeding mama who came into her office.

 

Where I live now though---nothing. I have a friend who is the nutritionist at WIC and she says the most they do for mothers is give them a pamphlet about breastfeeding. I hear rumors that a lactation consultant may have been recently hired however.

 

That's my main complaint (as a taxpayer especially), the inconsistency of the program. But whatever---I don't even know why I'm posting in the general forum. I come to this forum for *homeschool* discussion. :D

[Scuff]

I grew up on cool whip (off brand) and fake syrup, but I definitely eat the real stuff now. Maybe it was because we didn't have sweets very often. We get our milk locally and every once in awhile we'll get a bottle that's plugged up with cream. :drool5: How can you go back to cool whip after that?

[Michelle My Bell]

Maybe I should go in tonight when the crowds are gone and ask if it is a mistake. I figured maybe this is one way the gov't is trying to get a little more dairy into dc's diets? It's a rather sneaky way to go about that, though, isn't it? ;)

 

I don't think there is any dairy in cool whip. Have you ever looked at the ingredients list on that stuff? I only buy real whipping cream now.

[nmoira]

I don't think there is any dairy in cool whip. Have you ever looked at the ingredients list on that stuff? I only buy real whipping cream now.

I thought the same thing. :001_smile: It always contained sodium caseinate (milk derived), but in 2010 they started adding skim milk and light cream. I'm not sure how much, as they are not listed among the first ingredients.

[Veritaserum]

I grew up on cool whip (off brand) and fake syrup, but I definitely eat the real stuff now. Maybe it was because we didn't have sweets very often. We get our milk locally and every once in awhile we'll get a bottle that's plugged up with cream. :drool5: How can you go back to cool whip after that?

 

:iagree: I was raised on margarine, non-dairy whipped topping, fake maple syrup, etc. I only use butter, real whipped cream, real maple syrup, etc. now. The fake stuff tastes so gross to me after eating the real deal. :tongue_smilie: Some of it actually makes me sick, like the Cool Whip/Jello fluff stuff. Insta-headache. :(

 

My parents have switched to using the real stuff most of the time now, too. I think we only had the fake stuff when I was growing up because it was cheaper. :)

 

ETA:

 

I've never used WIC, so I don't know how it works in my state. I see people with the coupons/vouchers. BIL and SIL had food assistance in the form of a debit card. It worked for anything edible, including non-essentials like candy, soda, and chips, etc.

Edited May 26, 2012 by Veritaserum

[NatashainDFW]

In the small town I live in WIC has done amazing things. So many of the working mothers here work at one of the four state prisons in the area and were almost forced to formula feed. WIC stepped in and worked with the prisons to not only encourage breastfeeding with the correctional officer mothers but also provide a place for these mothers to pump. The number of breast feeding mothers has increased here while the formula use has decreased dramatically.

 

We also use a card for WIC purchases but its just like the vouchers in such that only approved items will be paid for and all other items must be paid out of pocket. The Walmart can be difficult when checking out but the local grocery store is so simple. The cashier rings you up, you stick your WIC card in the card reader and a simple key stroke and your WIC is paid for. Much faster and easier than the paper vouchers.

[phathui5]

Some things like milk and cheese you can only get the LEB.

 

It depends on your state. Here in Oregon, at least for dairy, you can get any brand that fits the type and size listed.

[EmiLeeStephens]

Funny! I did not know the store could get in trouble for that either! Good to know! And WIC is a supplement only until the child is five, food stamps are entirely different! :001_smile:

[mommymilkies]

WIC in this state is entirely worthless, IMHO. My dd had a severe dairy allergy and they would under no circumstances allow me to get dairy replacers when I was bf or after she was weaned. Only dairy-no exceptions. So I can't imagine they'd approve something like Cool Whip.

[Audrey]

Maybe I should go in tonight when the crowds are gone and ask if it is a mistake. I figured maybe this is one way the gov't is trying to get a little more dairy into dc's diets? It's a rather sneaky way to go about that, though, isn't it? ;)

 

Cool Whip isn't dairy. It's actually a petroleum by-product. Yep. Petroleum. It even says right on it "edible oil product." They remove the actual petroleum, which leaves a sludge that is used for making things like Vaseline and Cool Whip. I believe that somewhere way down on the ingredient list, they toss in a bit of skim milk powder, but that still doesn't make it dairy.

Edited May 26, 2012 by Audrey