New York WIC Approved Foods
Food List & Approved Groceries
New York WIC Agency
New York WIC Food List
New York State WIC publishes an Authorized Product List (APL) that is updated weekly and maintained by the NYS Department of Health. The current 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.
New York-Specific Food Notes
Kosher dairy options: If Kosher dairy products are important for your household, ask your local WIC office about currently approved Kosher options — New York's APL is updated weekly and WIC offices can advise on what's available. New York has large Orthodox Jewish communities in Brooklyn, Rockland County, and Orange County, and the program accounts for that dietary diversity.
Fresh herbs: New York maintains a dedicated Fresh Herbs category in its APL, updated weekly. Fresh herbs are covered under the Cash Value Benefit for fruits and vegetables.
Soy beverage: Available to participants who need it — check your WIC Shopping List for eligibility. Not all participants receive soy beverage by default.
Whole grains: New York approves 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 and you can mix and match any approved grain products.
Canned fish: Available to breastfeeding women and children on New York WIC. Approved varieties include chunk light tuna, pink salmon, sardines, and mackerel.
Infant formula: New York manages a competitive bid contract for infant formula. The contract brand is issued by default. Medical documentation from a healthcare provider is required for non-contract formulas, including specialized, hypoallergenic, and metabolic formulas. New York maintains an extensive specialized formula list for infants and children with medical needs — ask your WIC nutritionist if your child requires a specialized product.
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. Look for WIC-approved shelf stickers at participating stores.
Shopping for WIC in New York
Your eWIC card works at authorized grocery stores statewide. In New York City, most major supermarket chains participate, as do many bodegas and neighborhood grocery stores that have applied for WIC vendor status. Use the store locator at health.ny.gov or the APL search at nyswicvendors.com to find participating stores and verify approved products.
New York's APL is updated weekly — if a product you previously purchased no longer scans as approved, check the current APL at nyswicvendors.com before your next shopping trip. If a product is genuinely missing from the list, your local WIC office can submit a UPC for review.
