New York WIC Approved Foods
Updated August 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.
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.
Helpful Resources
New York WIC Program
Contact information, benefits, and how the New York WIC program works.
Learn more →New York WIC Income Limits
See the current household income limits to qualify for New York WIC benefits.
Learn more →How to Apply for New York WIC
Step-by-step instructions, required documents, and what to expect at your New York WIC appointment.
Learn more →WIC Approved Foods by Category
Browse WIC-covered foods nationally by category — milk, cereal, produce, and more — with typical quantities and shopping tips.
Learn more →Find a New York WIC Clinic
Locate WIC clinic offices near you in New York, with addresses and phone numbers by city.
Learn more →