New York WIC Approved Foods
Updated September 2026
Once you're approved for New York WIC, your benefits are loaded monthly onto a WIC card that works like a debit card at authorized stores. Here's what's covered, how to check whether a specific brand or item is approved, and how the cash-value benefit for fruits and vegetables works.
Quick Answer
New York WIC covers the same national food categories as every state — milk, eggs, cereal, whole grains, fruits and vegetables (via a cash-value benefit), juice, beans, and infant formula — but the specific approved brands, sizes, and quantities are set by the New York State Department of Health. See the full New York list below.
Approved WIC Foods in New York
New York State WIC publishes an Authorized Product List (APL) that is updated weekly and maintained by the NYS Department of Health. The full APL — searchable by UPC and food category — is available at nyswicvendors.com. Your WIC Shopping List, issued at your appointment, shows exactly which items and amounts are approved for your household. You can also check approved items with the free WIC2Go app.
New York-Specific Food Notes
Kosher dairy options: If Kosher dairy is important for your household, ask your local WIC office about currently approved Kosher options. New York has large Orthodox Jewish communities in Brooklyn, Rockland County, and Orange County, and the weekly-updated APL accounts for that dietary diversity.
Fresh herbs: New York maintains a dedicated Fresh Herbs category on its APL, covered under the Cash Value Benefit for fruits and vegetables.
Whole grains: Approved options include whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, oatmeal, corn tortillas, whole wheat tortillas, and quinoa. Your monthly whole grain benefit is measured in ounces, so you can mix and match approved products.
Canned fish: Available to breastfeeding participants and children on New York WIC. Approved varieties include chunk light tuna, pink salmon, sardines, and mackerel.
Infant formula: New York manages a competitive rebate contract for infant formula, and the contract brand is issued by default. Medical documentation is required for non-contract, specialized, or hypoallergenic formulas — ask your WIC nutritionist if your child needs one.
Fruits and vegetables: Every participant receives a Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables without added sugar, salt, or sauces. For the current benefit year, the monthly CVB is $26 for children, $48 for pregnant and postpartum participants, and $52 for breastfeeding participants. Look for WIC-approved shelf stickers at participating stores.
Farmers' Market Benefits
New York's Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) gives WIC participants coupons — separate from your regular monthly benefits — to buy fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables at participating farmers' markets. The program runs June 1 through November 30 each year. Ask your local WIC office whether FMNP coupons are available in your area, or check the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets farmers' market directory to find participating markets.
Shopping for WIC in New York
Your eWIC card works at authorized grocery stores statewide. In New York City, most major supermarket chains participate, along with many bodegas and neighborhood grocery stores that have applied for WIC vendor status. Use the WIC2Go app or the APL search at nyswicvendors.com to find participating stores and verify approved products before you shop. If a product you previously purchased no longer scans as approved, check the current weekly APL — if an item is genuinely missing, your local WIC office can submit its UPC for review.
New York WIC Approved Food Questions
How much is New York's WIC Cash Value Benefit for fruits and vegetables each month?
For the current benefit year, the monthly Cash Value Benefit is $26 for children, $48 for pregnant or postpartum participants, and $52 for breastfeeding participants. Benefits do not roll over month to month, so use them before the end of each benefit period.
Does New York WIC offer a farmers' market benefit?
Yes. New York's Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides coupons, separate from your monthly eWIC benefits, to buy fresh, locally grown produce at participating farmers' markets between June 1 and November 30. Ask your local WIC office about availability in your area.
How often is the New York WIC Authorized Product List updated?
New York State WIC updates its Authorized Product List every week at nyswicvendors.com. If a product you previously purchased no longer scans as approved, check the current APL before your next shopping trip, or ask your local WIC office to submit the UPC for review.
Compare Other States
Approved foods, brands, and package sizes are set state by state. These share New York's census region — useful if you're moving, or comparing how another state runs the same program.
Helpful Guides
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An overview of the WIC program, who administers it, and how it works.
Learn more →WIC Eligibility
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Learn more →WIC vs SNAP
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Learn more →WIC Income Limits
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Learn more →WIC Benefit Amounts
The exact dollar and quantity breakdown of the monthly WIC food package by participant category.
Learn more →WIC EBT Card
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Learn more →WIC Approved Foods
Browse WIC-covered foods by category, from milk and eggs to fruits, vegetables, and formula.
Learn more →Find a WIC Clinic
Search WIC clinic locations by state and city, with addresses and phone numbers.
Learn more →WIC Recertification
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