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WIC Compass

Washington WIC Approved Foods

Washington WIC's Shopping Guide sets what you can buy in 7 food groups: milk and dairy, whole grains, cereal, beans, peanut butter and fish, juice, fruits and vegetables, and baby food. For each food it lists what to buy and what not to buy, and for some foods only certain brands. This page organizes that guide so you can scan it on your phone.

This page is built from the WIC Washington Shopping Guide (DOH 960-278) from Washington State Department of Health, WIC Nutrition Program. The guide is marked effective April 2026 (form DOH 960-278). We last checked it in September 2026. The state updates its list over time, so confirm a product in the WICShopper app or with your WIC office before you shop. Published by Robert B. (publisher and editor)

Before you shop: check your balance first. Automated line (24/7), WIC Line, back-of-card number, WICShopper app, or receipt. Card declined? Call 1-800-841-1410, WIC Line, Mon-Fri 8-5, or see Washington WIC card help.

food groups
7
food types
32
named brands
52
guide effective
Apr 2026

The brand and size must match exactly

Washington says you must buy the exact brands and sizes on its approved foods list, and not all foods on store shelves are WIC approved. Some foods below allow any brand and some allow only the brands listed. Use the WICShopper app to scan a product before you buy.

Infant formula is not listed here

For formula, buy only the brand, type, container size and amount listed in your WIC benefits. The state keeps a separate page for approved formulas.

Milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs and tofu

9 food types · 30 named brands

Cow milk (liquid)

Must be

  • Only the milk fat type (nonfat: 0%, low fat: 1%, reduced fat: 2%, whole) listed on your WIC benefits
  • Gallon, 96 oz, half-gallon, or quart size containers.
  • Plastic or paper containers
  • Cow milk
  • Pasteurized
  • Refrigerated
  • Unflavored

You can choose

  • Any combination of gallons, half-gallons, and quarts up to the total amount of milk listed in your WIC benefits
  • Acidophilus
  • Any brand
  • Buttermilk
  • Calcium-fortified
  • Kefir
  • Kosher
  • Lactobacillus
  • Lactose free
  • Probiotics
  • Organic
  • Skim milk with added thickeners (Creamy Fat Free, Skim Supreme)
Shopping tip: Some milks aren’t allowed since they come in the wrong container type or size. For example, some fairlife® and a2 Milk® containers are not the right size. Also, milk in glass containers is not allowed.
Shopping tip: For one gallon, you can combine two half-gallons or four quarts.

Cow milk (evaporated)

Must be

  • 12 oz can
  • Only the milk fat type (nonfat: 0%, low fat: 1%, reduced fat: 2%, whole) listed on your WIC benefits
  • Cow milk
  • Pasteurized
  • Unflavored

You can choose

  • Any brand
  • Calcium-fortified
  • Kosher
Shopping tip: Buy 5 cans for each gallon of milk to receive your full WIC benefits.

Cow milk (dry)

Must be

  • Mixes to 1 quart of milk or more
  • Only the milk fat type (nonfat: 0%, low fat: 1%, reduced fat: 2%, whole) listed on your WIC benefits
  • Cow milk
  • Homogenized
  • Pasteurized
  • Unflavored

You can choose

  • Boxes, cylinders, plastic bags, or pouches
  • Any brand
  • Calcium-fortified
  • Kosher

Not WIC approved

  • Added flavors, foods, or spices
  • Almond, coconut, hemp, rice, or other grain or nut beverages
  • Bulk powdered milk
  • Chocolate milk
  • Filled milk
  • Glass bottles
  • Half and half
  • Low-carb dairy beverage
  • Non homogenized
  • Omega 3
  • Other animal milk, such as goat or sheep
  • Pints, half-pints, or smaller size
  • Raw milk
  • Single-serve or individual packets
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • UHT containers
  • Unpasteurized milk
  • Whipping cream
Shopping tip: The amount listed on your WIC benefits equals the amount of dry milk after mixing with water.

Goat milk

Approved brands and varieties

  • Meyenberg

    • 12 oz Evaporated Milk, Whole (3.5% Milk Fat)
    • 12 oz Powdered Milk, Whole (3.5% Milk Fat)
    • 32 oz (1 quart) Liquid Milk, Whole (3.5% Milk Fat)
    • 32 oz (1 quart) Liquid Milk, Low Fat (1% Milk Fat)
    • 64 oz Liquid Milk, Whole (3.5% Milk Fat)

  • Grace Harbor Farms

    • 32 oz (1 quart) Liquid Milk, Whole (3.5% Milk Fat)
    • 32 oz (1 quart) Kefir, Whole (3.5% Milk Fat)
    • 64 oz Liquid Milk, Whole (3.5% Milk Fat)

Not WIC approved

  • Other goat milk brands

Soy beverage

Approved brands and varieties

  • 8th Continent

    • Half gallon, Original, Refrigerated

  • Pacific Ultra

    • 32 oz (quart), Original, Non-refrigerated only

  • Silk

    • 32 oz (quart), half gallon, or twin pack (2 half-gallon), Original, Refrigerated or Non-refrigerated

  • Bettergoods

    • Half gallon, Original, Refrigerated

Not WIC approved

  • Other non-dairy beverages like almond, coconut, hemp, or rice milk
  • Blends or creamers
  • 8th Continent Complete
  • 8th Continent Light
  • Pacific organic Unsweetened
  • Pacific Select
  • Silk Vanilla/Very Vanilla/Chocolate
  • Silk DHA Omega-3
  • Silk Light Original/Vanilla/Chocolate
  • Silk Organic Original/Vanilla
  • WestSoy, West life
Shopping tip: 2 qts = 1 half gallon. 4 qts = 1 gallon. 2 half gallons = 1 gallon.

Yogurt

Must be

  • Only the milk fat type (nonfat: 0%, low fat: 1%, whole) listed on your WIC benefits
  • 1 quart (32 ounces)
  • Plastic container
  • Cow milk
  • Homogenized
  • Pasteurized
  • Less than 16 grams of sugar per 8 oz

You can choose

  • Plain or fruit flavored (only if less than 16 grams of sugar per 8 oz serving and no artificial sweeteners)
  • Stevia is ok
  • Greek (not organic)

Approved brands

  • Activia
  • Best Yet
  • Brown Cow
  • Chobani
  • Dannon
  • Darigold
  • Essential Everyday
  • Food Club
  • Fred Meyer
  • Great Value
  • Green Valley creamery
  • Kroger
  • LaLa
  • Lucerne
  • Market Pantry
  • Mountain High
  • Nancy’s
  • Oikos
  • Open Nature
  • Tillamook
  • WinCo
  • Yami
  • Yoplait
  • Zoi

Not WIC approved

  • Artificial sweeteners: aspartame, saccharin, or sucralose (Splenda™)
  • 2% cow milk yogurt
  • Flavors, grains, granola, or nuts
  • Candy, honey, spices, or added protein
  • Custards or whips
  • Drinkable or squeezable
  • Frozen yogurt
  • Light
  • Organic
  • Raw milk
  • Single-serve or multi-packs
  • Yogurt kits

Cheese

Must be

  • Made from pasteurized cow milk
  • Made in USA
  • 8 oz
  • 16 oz (1 lb)
  • 32 oz (2 lbs)

Allowed types

  • Cheddar (mild, medium, sharp, extra sharp, yellow, or white )
  • Colby
  • Colby Jack
  • Colby Monterey Jack
  • Monterey Jack
  • Mozzarella
  • Munster
  • Provolone
  • Swiss

You can choose

  • Any brand
  • Block or bar of cheese
  • Shredded and grated cheese
  • String or cheese sticks
  • Kosher or non-Kosher

Not WIC approved

  • With added flavors, herbs, nuts, seeds, spices, or vegetables
  • Single serving sticks or packets
  • Cheese made from raw milk
  • Cotija
  • Cracker cut
  • Cream cheese
  • Deli cheese
  • Cubed or sliced
  • Fresh mozzarella
  • Goat or sheep cheese
  • Imported
  • Lactose free
  • Organic
  • Parmesan
  • Pepper Jack
  • Processed pasteurized American
  • Queso fresco
  • Ricotta
  • Unpasteurized
  • Vintage cheese

Eggs

Must be

  • 12-count carton (1 dozen)
  • Shelled eggs from a chicken

You can choose

  • Any brand
  • Any size: small, medium, large, extra-large, or jumbo
  • White or brown eggs
  • Cage free
  • Organic or Non-Organic
  • Omega 3

Not WIC approved

  • Bulk
  • DHA
  • Dried or powdered
  • Duck eggs
  • Egg substitute products
  • Fertile
  • Free-range or pasture-raised
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Liquid eggs
  • Low or reduced cholesterol
  • Pasteurized
  • Reduced saturated fat

Tofu

Must be

  • 8 oz or 16 oz containers only

You can choose

  • Whole, cubed, or sliced
  • Non organic or organic
  • Extra/super firm
  • Firm
  • Medium firm
  • Soft
  • Silken

Not WIC approved

  • With added flavors, foods, or spices
  • Baked
  • Dessert tofu
  • Fried
  • Non refrigerated
Shopping tip: WIC-approved tofu meets specific nutritional criteria. We make sure our tofu contains 100 mg of calcium per 100 grams of tofu.

Back to food groups

Bread, tortillas, pasta and whole grains

7 food types

Whole grain benefit sizes

24 oz monthly benefit

  • Choose two 12 oz packages
  • Choose only one 14 oz package
  • Choose only one 16 oz package
  • Choose only one 18 oz package
  • Choose only one 24 oz package

48 oz monthly benefit

  • Choose a combination of 12 oz packages, 14 oz packages, 16 oz packages, 24 oz packages, 32 oz package
  • Choose only one 42 oz package
Shopping tip: Depending on your monthly benefit amount, purchasing certain package sizes may leave you with unused benefits. For example, if you have a 24 oz monthly benefit, purchasing an 18 oz package will leave you with 6 oz of unused whole grain benefits.

Brown rice

You can choose

  • Any brand
  • Bags or boxes
  • Gluten free
  • Instant or regular
  • Non-organic or organic
  • Types: Extra-long, long, medium, or short grain
  • Any package up to 48 oz

Not WIC approved

  • With added flavors, foods, or spices
  • Basmati
  • Black
  • Bulk (sold by weight)
  • Boil-in-Bag
  • Chia seeds
  • Farro
  • Grits
  • Individual serving size packets
  • Jasmine
  • Mahogany
  • Mixed rice
  • Quinoa
  • Red
  • Sprouted or germinated
  • White
  • Wild
Shopping tip: Ounces (oz) on the package will be subtracted from your benefit total.

Oatmeal

You can choose

  • Any brand
  • Bags, boxes, or cardboard cylinders
  • Gluten free
  • Instant or quick
  • Non-organic or organic
  • Old-fashioned, regular, or steel cut
  • Any package up to 48 oz

Not WIC approved

  • With added flavors, foods, or spices
  • Boxes with individual packets
  • Bulk (sold by weight)
  • Granola
  • Grits
  • Individual serving size packets
  • Metal cylinders
  • Quinoa

Soft tortillas

Must be

  • Whole wheat tortillas
  • Plain, soft white, or yellow corn tortillas

You can choose

  • Any package up to 48 oz
  • Corn or corn masa soft tortillas
  • Whole wheat soft tortillas
  • Low sodium
  • Non organic or organic

Not WIC approved

  • With added flavors, foods, or spices
  • 96% whole wheat
  • Chips, taco salad bowls, taco shells, tostada, or any other hard tortillas
  • Low carb or carb balance
  • Mixed-grain tortillas, such as corn and wheat together
  • Red corn
  • Reduced fat, or fat-free tortillas
  • Sprouted or germinated
  • Store-made
  • Tortillas with “light” or “lite” on the label
  • Wraps

Whole wheat pasta

Must be

  • Made from whole wheat or whole durum wheat

You can choose

  • Any package up to 48 oz
  • Bags or boxes
  • Any type
  • Non organic or organic

Examples of types

  • Angel hair
  • Bows
  • Egg noodles
  • Elbow
  • Fettuccine
  • Fusilli
  • Lasagna
  • Linguine
  • Macaroni
  • Penne
  • Rigate
  • Rotini
  • Shell
  • Spaghetti
  • Spirals
  • Vermicelli
  • Ziti

Not WIC approved

  • With added flavors, foods, or seasonings
  • 51% whole grain or whole wheat
  • Buckwheat
  • Bulk (sold by weight)
  • Fresh
  • Gluten free
  • Mixed grain
  • Multi-colored
  • No boil, no drain
  • Refrigerated
  • Rice pasta
  • Semolina
  • Sprouted or germinated
  • Vegetable

Whole wheat bread

Must be

  • Whole wheat or whole grain

You can choose

  • Any brand
  • Any package up to 48 oz
  • Low sodium
  • Non organic or organic
  • Sugar free

Not WIC approved

  • With added flavors, foods, or spices
  • Artisan or gourmet (bread baked in small batches)
  • Breads not wrapped in plastic
  • Breads with “light” or “lite” on the label
  • Bagels
  • Cracked wheat
  • English muffins
  • Extra fiber
  • French
  • Frozen or refrigerated dough
  • Gluten free
  • Sourdough
  • Sprouted or germinated
  • Store-made
  • Uncooked bread mixes
  • Unsliced
Shopping tip: WIC-approved breads are labeled “100% whole wheat” and/or contain at least 50% whole grains by weight.

Whole wheat hamburger and hot dog buns

Must be

  • Whole wheat or whole grain

You can choose

  • Any brand
  • Any package up to 48 oz
  • Non organic or organic
  • Topped with seeds

Not WIC approved

  • With added flavors or spices
  • Artisan or gourmet buns (baked in small batches)
  • Buns not wrapped in plastic
  • Buns with “light” or “lite” on the label
  • Bagels
  • English muffins
  • Extra fiber
  • Dinner, French, or hoagie buns or rolls
  • Frozen or refrigerated dough
  • Gluten free
  • Sourdough
  • Sprouted or germinated
  • Store-made

Back to food groups

Breakfast cereal

1 food type

Breakfast cereal (hot and cold)

You can choose

  • Any package up to 36 oz
  • Any brand
  • Boxes or bags
  • Ready to eat (cold cereal)
  • Instant or regular (hot cereal)
  • Gluten free
  • Organic

Examples of cold cereal varieties

  • Corn flakes
  • Bran flakes
  • Crispy rice
  • Corn squares
  • Rice squares
  • Oat squares
  • Wheat squares (frosted and unfrosted)
  • Toasted oats/O’s (plain and multigrain)
  • Honey oat clusters with nuts

Examples of hot cereal varieties

  • Creamy rice
  • Creamy wheat
  • Malted barley
  • Oatmeal (unflavored individual serving packets)

Other 36 oz combinations

  • 9+9+9+9
  • 9 + 9 + 18
  • 10.6 + 13.4 + 12
  • 12 + 12 + 12
  • 12 + 24
  • 15.5 + 20.5
  • 18 + 18
  • 14 + 22
  • 16 + 20
  • 36

Not WIC approved

  • Cylinders
Shopping tip: WIC-approved cereals meet specific nutritional criteria. We make sure: Our cereals contain limited sugar. Our cereals contain iron. 75% of our approved cereals are whole grain.

Back to food groups

Beans, peanut butter and fish

4 food types

Canned beans

Must be

  • 15 oz to 16 oz cans
  • Plain beans or low fat plain refried beans

You can choose

  • Any brand
  • Low or reduced sodium
  • Individual cans or a 4-pack
  • Non organic or organic

Not WIC approved

  • Flavors or meats
  • Honey, syrups, molasses, sugar, or other sweeteners
  • Baked beans
  • Bean salad
  • Bean sprouts
  • Chili beans
  • Green or wax beans
  • Mixed beans
  • Bean soups
  • Peas
  • Pouches
Shopping tip: If you choose to buy canned beans, 1 container (CTR) on shopping list = 4 cans of beans. You must buy all four cans of beans to make sure you get all of your WIC benefits.

Dried beans, peas and lentils

Must be

  • 16 oz bag

You can choose

  • Any brand
  • Any variety
  • Non organic or organic

Not WIC approved

  • With added flavors or spices
  • Boxes
  • Barley
  • Bean and rice mix
  • Bulk (sold by weight)
  • Chia seeds
  • Coffee beans
  • Dried refried beans
  • Farro
  • Frozen
  • Green beans
  • Heirloom
  • Quinoa
  • Sprouted or germinated
  • Soup or soup mix

Peanut butter

Must be

  • 15-18 oz jars

You can choose

  • Any brand
  • Creamy or smooth
  • Chunky or extra chunky
  • Crunchy or extra crunchy
  • Low sodium
  • Natural peanut butter
  • No stir or stir
  • Regular or organic
  • Salted or unsalted

Not WIC approved

  • Bulk (sold by weight)
  • Freshly ground or grind-it-yourself
  • Low carb peanut butter spread
  • Low glycemic
  • Other nuts or seed butters ( e.g. almond, cashew, sesame)
  • Omega 3
  • Powdered
  • Roasted honey nut
  • Single-serve
  • Spreads
  • “Squeeze It” tubes
  • Valencia
  • Flavors, foods, or spices
  • Flax or safflower oil
  • Chocolate
  • Honey
  • Jelly
  • Marshmallows
Shopping tip: You can choose canned beans, dried beans, or peanut butter with your WIC benefits. If you choose peanut butter, 1 container listed on the WIC benefits = 15-18 oz jar peanut butter. Buying an 18 oz jar will allow you to maximize your benefits.

Canned fish and pouches

You can choose

  • Tuna/salmon cans: up 20 oz
  • Tuna/salmon pouches: 2.5-5 oz
  • Sardine cans: 3.75 and 4.25 oz
  • Forms of Tuna: Solid, Chunk
  • Color of Tuna: White, light
  • Any brand
  • With added flavors
  • Albacore tuna
  • Boneless
  • Can, foil bags, or pouches
  • Low sodium
  • No added salt
  • Skinless
  • SkipJack
  • Wild caught
  • Yellowfin

Not WIC approved

  • With added foods
  • Brisling sardines
  • Dried
  • Fillet
  • Fresh
  • Frozen
  • Glass
  • Jack Mackerel
  • Organic
  • Red salmon
  • Smoked
  • Snack packs
  • Tongol tuna
Shopping tip: You can choose a combination of chunk light tuna, pink salmon, or sardines up to the amount of ounces (oz) listed in your WIC Benefits.

Back to food groups

Juice

4 food types · 18 named brands

Fruit juice: mixed or blends (64 oz)

Must be

  • 64 oz plastic bottles
  • Non-refrigerated only
  • Only these brands and types

Approved brands and varieties

  • Essential Everyday

    • Berry
    • Cherry
    • Cranberry
    • Cranberry Raspberry
    • Grape Blend
    • 100% Juice Punch

  • Food Club

    • Cranberry Raspberry

  • Great Value

    • Cranberry Blend
    • Cranberry Grape
    • Cranberry Pomegranate
    • White Grape and Peach

  • Haggen

    • Cranberry
    • Cranberry Raspberry

  • Juicy Juice

    • Apple Raspberry
    • Berry
    • Cherry
    • Cranberry Apple
    • Fruit Punch
    • Kiwi Strawberry
    • Mango
    • Orange Tangerine
    • Passion Dragonfruit
    • Peach Apple
    • Strawberry Banana
    • Strawberry Watermelon
    • Tropical

  • Kroger

    • Cranberry
    • White Grape Peach

  • Langers

    • Apple Berry Cherry
    • Apple Cranberry
    • Apple Grape
    • Apple Kiwi Strawberry
    • Apple Orange Pineapple
    • Apple Peach Mango
    • Cranberry Grape Plus
    • Cranberry Plus
    • Cranberry Raspberry Plus

  • Ocean Spray

    • Cranberry Blackberry
    • Cranberry Cherry
    • Cranberry Concord Grape
    • Cranberry Mango
    • Cranberry Pineapple
    • Cranberry Pomegranate
    • Cranberry Raspberry
    • Cranberry Watermelon
    • Cranberry Elderberry

  • Old Orchard

    • Acai Pomegranate
    • Apple Cranberry
    • Berry Blend
    • Black Cherry Cranberry
    • Blueberry Pomegranate
    • Cherry Pomegranate
    • Cranberry Pomegranate
    • Immune Health Citrus
    • Immune Health Superfruit
    • Immune Health Tropical Fruit
    • Kiwi Strawberry
    • Mango Tangerine
    • Orange Tangerine
    • Peach Mango
    • Red Raspberry
    • Strawberry Watermelon
    • Wild Cherry

  • Signature Select

    • Cranberry
    • Cranberry Grape
    • Cranberry Raspberry

  • Tree Top

    • Apple Berry
    • Apple Cranberry
    • Apple Grape
    • Orange Passionfruit
    • Pineapple Orange

  • Welch’s (Bold)

    • White Grape Cherry
    • White Grape Peach
    • Orange Pineapple Apple

Not WIC approved

  • Cartons or glass bottles
  • Cider
  • Cocktail
  • Frozen
  • Juice Drink
  • Lemon
  • Lemonade
  • Lime
  • Limeade
  • Organic
  • Punch not 100% Juice
  • Refrigerated
  • Unfiltered

Fruit juice: single fruit (64 oz)

Must be

  • 64 oz plastic bottles
  • Non-refrigerated only
  • Only these brands and types

Approved brands and varieties

  • Apple

    • Best Yet
    • Essential Everyday
    • Food Club
    • Freedom’s Choice
    • Great Value
    • Haggen
    • IGA
    • Juicy Juice
    • Kroger
    • Langers
    • Market Pantry
    • Mott’s
    • Ocean Spray
    • Old Orchard
    • Signature Select
    • Tree Top
    • WinCo

  • Grape, red grape, or white grape

    • Essential Everyday
    • Food Club
    • Freedom’s Choice
    • Great Value
    • Haggen
    • IGA
    • Juicy Juice
    • Kroger
    • Langers
    • Market Pantry
    • Ocean Spray
    • Old Orchard
    • Signature Select
    • That’s Smart!
    • Welch’s
    • Winco

  • Pineapple

    • Essential Everyday
    • Food Club
    • Great Value
    • Kroger
    • Langers
    • Libby’s
    • Old Orchard
    • Signature Select

Orange juice (64 oz)

Must be

  • 100% orange juice
  • Shelf stable/Not refrigerated
  • Any brand

Some examples

  • Essential Everyday
  • Food Club
  • Golden Crown
  • Juicy Juice
  • Langers
  • Old Orchard
  • Signature Select
  • Tropicana

Vegetable juice (64 oz)

Must be

  • 64 oz plastic bottles
  • Non-refrigerated only
  • Only these brands and types

Approved brands and varieties

  • Campbell’s

    • Tomato Juice
    • Low Sodium Tomato Juice

  • Campbell’s V8

    • Original 100% Vegetable Juice
    • Low Sodium
    • 100% Vegetable Juice Spicy Hot
    • 100% Vegetable Juice

  • Food Club

    • Tomato Juice
    • Vegetable Juice
    • Spicy Vegetable Juice

  • Signature Select

    • Low Sodium 100% Vegetable Juice
    • Vegetable Juice
    • Tomato Juice

  • WinCo

    • Low Sodium 100% Vegetable Juice
    • 100% Vegetable Juice

Back to food groups

Fruits and vegetables

4 food types

Fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs

You can choose

  • Any brand or type
  • Cut or whole
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables in bags, clam shells, cups, plastic bowls, or tubs
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables in foam trays wrapped in plastic
  • Fruit and vegetable party trays and platters without dips
  • Fresh herbs cut at the root or with root intact
  • Fresh garlic and ginger
  • Non organic or organic

Not WIC approved

  • Dips, dressings, fats, oils, or sauces
  • Flavors, foods, nuts, or spices
  • Dried fruits or vegetables
  • Edible blossoms of flowers
  • Fruit baskets
  • Party trays or platters with dips
  • Salad bar items
  • Sugar cane
  • Dried herbs or spices such as vanilla beans, cinnamon, anise, or dried thyme
  • Potted herbs such as potted basil, potted rosemary, or potted mint
  • Ornamental or decorative items such as: Dried chili peppers, garlic on a string, gourds, carved or painted pumpkins
Shopping tip: You can buy a combination of canned, fresh, and frozen fruits and vegetables. If you choose more foods than are listed in your WIC Benefits, you can pay the extra or choose not to buy it.

Frozen fruits and vegetables

You can choose

  • Any size bag, box, or steamer pouch
  • Any brand
  • Non organic or organic
  • Frozen beans are OK (such as: black-eyed peas, edamame, garbanzo, and lima beans)

Not WIC approved

  • Fats, oils, salts, seasonings, spices, sugars or sauces
  • Meats, noodles, nuts, pasta, rice, or grains
  • Battered or breaded
  • Creamed
  • Deli items
  • Dried fruits, vegetables, or fruit leather
  • French fries
  • Hash browns
  • Mashed potatoes, Potatoes O’Brien, Tater Tots®

Canned fruits

You can choose

  • Any brand or type
  • Any size can, glass or plastic container
  • Applesauce: may contain cinnamon
  • First ingredient listed is a fruit
  • Non organic or organic

Not WIC approved

  • Sugars, fats, oils or salt
  • Canned fruit in heavy or “light”/”lite” syrup, lightly sweetened juice or sweetened nectar
  • Fruit roll-ups
  • Fruit-nut mixtures
  • Home canned and home preserved jams, jellies, fruit syrups or fruit spreads
  • Pie filling
  • Pouches

Canned vegetables

You can choose

  • Any brand or type
  • Any size can, glass or plastic container
  • Canned tomatoes: crushed, diced, sliced, purees, sauced, stewed, or paste
  • Canned mixed vegetables containing beans
  • First ingredient listed is a vegetable
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • May contain spices
  • Non organic or organic

Not WIC approved

  • Sugars, fats, or oils
  • Creamed or with sauce
  • Home canned and home preserved
  • Ketchup
  • Olives
  • Pickled vegetables
  • Vegetables with added: meats, noodles, rice, nuts, pasta, or gains

Back to food groups

Baby food

3 food types · 9 named brands

Baby cereal

Must be

  • 8 oz or 16 oz
  • Dry

Types

  • Barley
  • Multigrain
  • Oatmeal
  • Whole grain
  • Organic
  • Non-organic
  • Natural

Approved brands

  • Beech-Nut
  • Earth’s Best
  • Gerber

Not WIC approved

  • Flavors, fruit, or formula
  • Prebiotics, probiotics, or DHA
  • Cans, jars, or pouches
  • Rice cereal
  • Single-serve or individual packets

Baby food: fruits and vegetables

Must be

  • Stage 1 or 2
  • Plain fruit and vegetable only

Sizes

  • 4 oz glass jars/plastic containers
  • 2 oz plastic containers in double packs (4 oz total)
  • 4 oz plastic containers in double packs (8 oz total)
  • multi-pack boxes

You can choose

  • Any combination of fruits and vegetables, organic, non‑organic

Approved brands

  • Beech-Nut
  • Earth’s Best Organic
  • Gerber
  • Happy Baby Organic
  • O Organics
  • Tippy Toes
  • Wild Harvest Organic

Not WIC approved

  • Cereal/grains - granola, oats, rice, or noodles
  • Spices e.g. cinnamon
  • Meats
  • Flavors or sugars
  • Pouches
  • Stage 3
Shopping tip: When buying baby food fruits and vegetables, a 2-pack is counted as 2 containers.

Baby food: meats (fully breastfeeding babies only)

Must be

  • Single meat only
  • Stage 1 or 2
  • 2.5 oz glass jars

You can choose

  • Organic
  • Non-organic
  • With broth or gravy

Approved brands

  • Beech-Nut
  • Gerber
  • O Organics
  • Tippy Toes
  • Wild Harvest

Not WIC approved

  • Flavors, sugars, or spices
  • Cereals, grains, or noodles
  • Fruits or vegetables
  • Meat sticks
  • Dinners
  • Stage 3

Back to food groups

How to check a product before you buy

  1. 1

    Check your benefits. Call the number on the back of your WIC card, or register your card in the WICShopper app and look under My Benefits.

  2. 2

    Match the food and size here. Use this page to see what to buy and what not to buy for each food.

  3. 3

    Scan the barcode. In the WICShopper app, scan the barcode or type the 12-digit UPC. It shows "WIC Allowed" or "Not a WIC Item". It cannot recognize most fresh fruits and vegetables.

  4. 4

    Not sure? Ask. Call your WIC clinic or the state office at the number below before you buy.

  • Washington WIC Nutrition Program (state office): 800-841-1410

Common questions

Which brands are approved for Washington WIC?

It depends on the food. Eggs, cheese, canned fish and fruits and vegetables allow any brand. Juice, yogurt, soy milk, goat milk and baby food allow only the brands listed in the state's guide, and this page lists them. The WICShopper app checks a specific product.

Is organic food covered by Washington WIC?

For many foods, yes. The guide lists organic as allowed for cow milk, eggs, tofu, beans, peanut butter, whole grains, cereal and produce. Organic is on the "don't buy" list for cheese, juice, yogurt and canned fish. Check the food you want in the list.

What sizes of juice can I buy?

Only 64 oz non-refrigerated plastic bottles of the listed brands and types. Cartons, glass bottles, refrigerated and frozen juice are on the "don't buy" list. Orange juice can be any brand if it is 100% orange juice and shelf stable.

How big can whole grain packages be?

Packages up to 48 oz for brown rice, oatmeal, soft tortillas, whole wheat pasta, bread and buns. With a 24 oz monthly benefit you choose two 12 oz packages or one 14, 16, 18 or 24 oz package. With a 48 oz benefit you can combine 12, 14, 16, 24 and 32 oz packages, or choose one 42 oz package.

How big can cereal packages be?

Any package up to 36 oz, hot or cold, any brand. The guide shows combinations that add up to 36 oz, such as 12 + 12 + 12, 15.5 + 20.5, 18 + 18 or one 36 oz package.

What changed in the April 2026 guide?

The state's April 2026 insert says more than 250 products were added, including bread, breakfast cereals and fresh herbs. It lists changes such as cereal sizes up to 36 oz, whole grains up to 48 oz, organic cow milk approved, canned fish cans or pouches up to 20 oz, peanut butter jars of 15 to 18 oz, fresh herbs and party trays without dips approved, and only 64 oz juices.

Can I combine different canned beans or peanut butter?

You choose canned beans, dried beans or peanut butter for the same benefit. One container equals a 15 to 18 oz jar of peanut butter, a 16 oz bag of dried beans, or four 15 to 16 oz cans of canned beans, so you must buy all four cans to use the full benefit.

How current is this page?

We built it from Washington's WIC Shopping Guide marked effective April 1, 2026, which the state posted in April. We last checked it in September 2026. Washington updates its product list over time, so confirm a product in the WICShopper app or with your clinic before you shop.

About this page: This is general information, not medical or nutrition advice, and it does not replace what your WIC clinic tells you. WIC Compass is an independent website, not part of the USDA, the WIC program, or Washington's WIC agency. We turned the state's product database into groups and counts; we do not add, change, or guess which products are approved. See how we verify our information.

Washington WIC card help

Check your balance, replace a lost card, or fix a declined purchase.

Washington WIC appointments

How to book and what to bring.

Find a WIC office or clinic

See Washington WIC Offices & Clinics: addresses, phone numbers, and hours.