Burlington Review

The Women Infant and Children (WIC) program is turning 50 this year, and Burlington County is celebrating with a party featuring amusements, games, fitness classes, health screenings, and more.

The Burlington County WIC 50th Anniversary Celebration will be held on Thursday, Aug. 22, from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM at the Burlington County Agricultural Center in Moorestown. The free event is open to WIC enrollees and the general public. It will feature community vendors, a bounce house, food trucks, games, developmental and health screenings, yoga and fitness classes, smoothie making, gardening demonstrations, and information kiosks related to breastfeeding, nutrition, and other health topics.

“For more than 50 years, WIC has provided new and expecting mothers with nutritional support and other resources critical to their health and the health of their children,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “The program has been incredibly beneficial for the overall wellbeing of thousands of Burlington County families, and we are excited to celebrate this milestone anniversary and WIC’s impactful services.”

“WIC participation is associated with improved birth outcomes, lower infant mortality, and better child development,” added Dr. Herb Conaway, director of the Burlington County Health Department. “It’s proven to be among the most powerful and cost-effective health programs anywhere and it’s making a difference and improving health for thousands of Burlington County mothers and children.”

The WIC program provides supplemental food, education, healthcare referrals, social service referrals to income-eligible pregnant women, new mothers and children five-years-old or younger.

WIC households come from all parts of Burlington County including military families residing on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. On average more than 4,200 Burlington County mothers and children receive services from the county's WIC program each month.

WIC services include supplemental nutrition assistance. Enrolled clients receive an electronic eWIC card each month that can be used like a debit card to purchase state-approved healthy foods from numerous grocery stores and other authorized locations.

As part of the modernization of WIC food benefits will be enhancements so families have additional whole grains and greater flexibility with their individual food packages.

Eligible WIC enrollees can also receive QR codes for $50 towards purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables from participating farmers markets including some at the weekly Burlington County Farmers Market.

Over the years the county's WIC program has also boosted support services for breastfeeding mothers evolving from discussing breastfeeding with mothers to now offering an International Broad Certified Lactation Consultation (IBCLC) as well as peer support counselors.

Burlington County WIC services are available throughout the county including sites such as the Health Department offices in Westampton plus satellite locations in Beverly Bordentown City Joint Base-McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Moorestown Palmyra Pemberton Township Tabernacle Willingboro There are also extended hours at Health Department offices to accommodate students working parents

“Burlington County’s WIC program has evolved over the last five decades but one constant has been its commitment to helping new expecting mothers overcome many different challenges they face” said Hopson “This program those who run it deserve celebrated recognized look forward getting big turnout our 50th Anniversary Celebration”

For more information about the Burlington County WIC program visit https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/403/Women-Infant-Children-WIC-Program.