The Washington State Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program is introducing a new WIC shopping and clinic experience. Clallam County Health and Human Services WIC and other WIC clinics in the region are replacing paper checks with WIC Cards, which representatives say provide participants with a more flexible, convenient way to shop for food.

Clallam County WIC offices in Sequim and Port Angeles will be closed Monday-Friday, Oct. 21-25, for staff technology and software training. The offices will reopen Monday, Oct. 28, to see WIC participants for appointments, including helping them set up and learn how to use their WIC Cards.

WIC participants will be able to scan their card at the grocery store checkout to purchase food. All family benefits will now be available on one card, so families no longer have to keep track of separate checks for each family member.

Families can also shop throughout the month rather than having to purchase all their food in one trip; any food items they don’t purchase will be available on their next trip until the end of their benefit period.

WIC participants will also see changes at their clinics, with new services such as appointment text message reminders.

For more information about the statewide rollout of WIC Cards, contact Kristen Maki, Washington State Department of Health Public Information Officer, at 360-545-2944 or Kristen.Maki@doh.wa.gov.

For more about local WIC offices, call 360-417-2275.