What are the West Virginia WIC requirements for purchasing milk and cheese?

Milk

• Milk (whether white or chocolate*) must be purchased in the store's least expensive brand for each fat category.
  • Least expensive brand of white or chocolate skim milk
  • Least expensive brand of white or chocolate 1% milk
  • Least expensive brand of white or chocolate 2% milk
  • Least expensive brand of white or chocolate whole milk
• Fluid milk must be purchased in one gallon containers unless another size is specified on the draft.
• Lactose-reduced or lactose-free milk may be purchased in quart, half-gallon, or gallon sizes when the draft specifies this type of milk.
• Evaporated whole or skim milk (12-oz. cans) or non-fat dry milk (25.6-oz. boxes) may be purchased when the draft specifies this type of milk.

Children between the ages of one and two years receive drafts that specify only whole milk.

*Chocolate milk is primarily sold throughout the State in 2% or less. Families with milk drafts that specific whole milk only, will be unable to purchase the milk in chocolate.

Cheese

• Domestic cheeses (pasteurized process American; Monterey jack; Colby; cheddar; Swiss; brick; muenster; provolone; mozzarella part-skim or whole) are allowed. These may include low fat; reduced fat; fat free; low cholesterol; low sodium; and lactose-reduced cheese.
• Cheese must be prepackaged by manufacturer (Block, shredded or sliced) in 8-oz. and 16-oz. packages.
• The following are not allowed:
  • Imported, gourmet, cheese from the deli.
  • Cheese food; cheese product; cheese spread; imitation cheese; cheese substitute; cheese alternative.
  • Cheese with added ingredients (such as peppers, or pimentos).
  • Individually-wrapped slices.

Please contact the Nutrition Education Coordinator for the West Virginia WIC Program at 304-558-0030 with any questions.