Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutritious foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, as well as to infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk. WIC aims to support the health
and well-being of mothers and young children through better nutrition and access to essential resources.
If you, or a family member, is currently participating in any of the following programs, you and your family are automatically income eligible for the WIC Program:
- Medical Assistance
- Minnesota Care
- SNAP (Food Stamps)
- MN Family Investment Program (MFIP)
- Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
- Reduced or Free School Lunch
- Head Start
- Medical Assistance - TEFRA
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
WIC Income Eligibility
Apply for WIC
To determine whether you and/or child are eligible, an initial screening phone call will take place. Once your eligibility is verified, your first appointment will take place in-person and may take up to 30 to 40 minutes per person.
You will need to bring proof of identity for each person being certified at your first in‑person appointment.
You will also need to provide proof of your current address and proof of participation in an adjunctive eligibility program or documentation of your household income.
For a full list of acceptable documents, click the button below:
Minnesota Department of Health
As a prevention program, WIC checks growth and screens for anemia during certification appointments. WIC staff will take the following measurements:
- Weight
- Height or length
- Hemoglobin – Checked by a qualified professional to screen for anemia. This involves a simple finger stick for women, children, and infants 9 months or older.
WIC will also ask questions about your health and nutrition to help us best support your family. Services include:
- Nutrition Education – Ask questions and learn from nutrition experts about healthy eating during pregnancy, infant feeding, and ideas for feeding toddlers and preschoolers.
- Breastfeeding Support – Get answers to your breastfeeding questions, including how to continue breastfeeding when returning to work or school. WIC also provides extra foods for breastfeeding parents.
- WIC Foods – Receive nutritious foods rich in important nutrients such as protein, iron, zinc, folate, calcium, and vitamins C and D.
- Referrals – Get connected to other programs and services that may benefit your family.
Steele County WIC Accepted Grocery Stores include:
- Cash Wise Foods, 495 W North St. Owatonna, MN
- Fareway Store, 831 Oak Ave. S. Owatonna, MN
- Hy-Vee Food Store, 1620 S Cedar Ave. Owatonna, MN
- Lerberg's Foods, 120 5th Ave. Ellendale, MN
- Vandal's Family Market, 237 Hwy Ave. S. Blooming Prairie, MN
- Walmart, 1130 W Frontage Rd. Owatonna, MN
- Before you can use your Minnesota WIC Card, you need to set up a 4-digit PIN by calling 1.833.566.5248. If you need to change your PIN or you forgot it, call that number.
- All household food benefits are on one WIC Card.
- Benefits last for 30 days. Unused items do not roll over past the 30 days.
Additional Resources
In Steele County, there are two local food shelves, various free community meals, nutrition assistance programs, and senior meal programs. Please see our Steele County Food Resource List for more information.
In Steele County, there are two nutrition assistance programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program.
The SNAP program is available through Steele County's Human Services at Minnesota Prairie County Alliance, please click the button below for more information.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Please click the buttons below for more information on the local food shelves, Community Pathways of Steele County and Ellendale Area Food Shelf.
WIC Nutrition Program