[miss marmelstein]

Can you tell us more about the WIC program. Women, infants, and children, right?

[Cyber Liberty]

Yes, Women, Infants and Children, but poor single fathers qualify too. It’s about feeding children in crisis situations (one lady I saw using it had just been deserted by her husband. She begged me for forgiveness, right there in the store! Mrs. Liberty gave her a hug). I’ve never been on it, so I can’t get into the details about the program, but the recipient is sharply limited on what can be purchased.

I’ve noticed special labels on the food shelves at the grocery store, and it’s all less-expensive but wholesome items, store brands in many cases. The shopper gets a catalog of items in advance, so they can plan their grocery trip. It’s well thought-out, and following the guidelines a recipient will fill a cart with the kind of stuff we non-recipients don’t mind seeing them buy.

No expensive cuts of meat we can’t buy for ourselves, for example.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

On WIC you are allowed a certain amount (under $10.00 a week per person) for fresh fruits and veggies. The rest is whole grains, breads (also whole grain), cereal (hot or cold not both), canned fish, peanut butter, beans, cheese, eggs, juice and milk.

You get enough but you are not living high on the hog.