Local WIC program expands locations
BY MICHELLE L. START Florida Weekly Correspondent

Lee County women who need extra help providing food for their infants and small children now have more convenient travel options.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children opened two new offices last week, one in Lehigh Acres and the other in San Carlos Park.

"They're small in size, but they are good for our clients," said Giomar Veloz, a public health nutritionist supervisor. "Unfortunately, we're only open two days a week because we don't have enough staff."

At present, both clinics are open on Mondays and Fridays.

Staff from the Fort Myers office are being divided up to man the clinics.

Veloz said she has 11 people on staff. Including herself, there are two nutritionists.

In Lee County, there are more than 14,000 people participating in the program.

"A lot more people qualify for the program because we have so much unemployment," Veloz said. "Unfortunately, we don't have the resources to serve everybody. There's just too many people trying to get onto the program."

For those who do receive WIC benefits, they will soon see some changes to the food allocations.

WIC has decided to add soy milk, more fruits and vegetables, canned beans and whole grain products to the acceptable foods list.

"It's going to be culturally appropriate for our clients," said Veloz, pointing out that whole grain tortillas will soon be on the list.

In 2006, the U.S. Census found that 16 percent of Lee County's 571,344 residents reported that they were of Hispanic descent.

WIC serves low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, and infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk. Funding comes from a federal grant program for which Congress authorizes a specific amount each year for program operations. The Food and Nutrition Service, which administers the program at the federal level, provides these funds to WIC state agencies to pay for food, nutrition education, and administrative costs.

Nationwide there are more than 8 million people who receive WIC benefits each month. The program began in 1974 and some 88,000 people participated. By 1980, participation was at 1.9 million; by 1985 it was 3.1 million; and by 1990 it was 4.5 million.

>>New clinic locations:

>>San Carlos: 18070 S Tamiami Trail Suite 10 Fort Myers, FL33908

>>Lehigh WIC Clinic: 391 Lee Boulevard Suite 100 Lehigh Acres, FL33936

>>Info: Clients can call (239) 344-2000 to schedule an appointment.