Rhode Island WIC Approved Foods

Rhode Island WIC Food List

Rhode Island WIC food benefits are loaded monthly onto an eWIC card redeemable at authorized grocery stores and retailers statewide. The WIC Shopper App (free and ad-free) helps you scan barcodes to confirm approved items, check your real-time benefit balance, and locate nearby WIC-authorized stores and clinics. Rhode Island's WIC Food Guide (WIC-7, 2026 edition) is available in English and Spanish — ask your clinic for a copy or download it at health.ri.gov/women-infants-and-children.

Fruits and Vegetables

All participants receive a monthly Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables — the benefit amount is shown on your WIC Shopping List. Fresh herbs are now an approved fresh produce item. Fresh options include any brand or variety, organic, sold by the piece, pound, or package, and salad or mixed greens in a bag. Do not buy salad bar items, salad kits, party trays, spices, dried fruit, or store-cut fruit and vegetables. Frozen fruits and vegetables (including mixed) are approved; avoid products with added fats, oils, butter, cheese, or sauces. Canned options may be organic, low salt, or low sodium; avoid products in light or heavy syrup, pie filling, cranberry sauce, soups, relishes, olives, pickles, or glass jars.

Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

In addition to the CVB, eligible participants receive $25 in seasonal FMNP benefits for fresh, locally grown produce at authorized Rhode Island farmers' markets from June through October. Markets participating in 2025 include locations in Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Cranston, Newport, South Kingstown, Woonsocket, and other communities. Ask your WIC clinic for your FMNP benefit card when the program opens each spring.

Milk

Milk type and size are shown on your WIC Shopping List. Approved varieties include whole milk, 1%, 2%, fat-free or non-fat, powdered, evaporated, goat milk, and lactose-free milk. Do not buy buttermilk, organic, flavored, or unpasteurized milk.

Cheese

Cheese is issued in 16 oz packages. Choose any brand in these approved varieties: American, cheddar, colby, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, muenster, Swiss, and provolone. Pre-packaged regular, low fat, low sodium, or kosher is allowed; sliced, shredded, or block is allowed. Do not buy deli cheese, individually wrapped slices, blends, organic, gourmet, or imported.

Yogurt

Yogurt is issued in 32 oz containers only. Approved fat tiers include whole milk, 1%, fat-free, and non-fat. Do not buy organic or Greek yogurt. Approved brands include LaYogurt Probiotic, Stop&Shop, Bowl & Basket, and other store brands in plain and vanilla flavors.

Soy and Plant-Based Milk

Soy and plant-based milk is a benefit-listed item — buy only if shown on your WIC Shopping List. Approved brands include BetterGoods (Ultra Soy, 32 oz), 8th Continent Soymilk (64 oz, Original), Silk (32, 48, 64, or 96 oz — Original, Unsweetened, Original Protein, Chocolate Protein), and Ripple (Unsweetened Original, Kids Original, Kids Unsweetened Original, Original Shelf Stable).

Eggs

Brown or white Grade A eggs are approved in cartons of 12 or more. Do not buy half dozens or organic.

Peanut Butter, Nut Butter, and Seed Butter

Approved in 16–18 oz jars. Any texture is allowed; low salt and low sodium options are allowed. Do not buy organic. One jar is equivalent to one 1 lb bag of dried beans or four cans of beans in the WIC benefit exchange.

Canned Fish

Canned fish is available to all eligible WIC participants (not restricted to breastfeeding participants):

• Tuna: 5 oz or 12 oz — chunk light only, in water or oil
• Salmon: 5–15 oz — pink only; do not buy added flavors
• Sardines: 3.75 oz — added sauces or flavorings are allowed

Tofu

Tofu is a benefit-listed item — buy only if shown on your WIC Shopping List. Approved in 14–16 oz packages. Approved brands include Azumaya and House Foods. Do not buy gourmet or imported varieties.

Beans, Peas, and Lentils

Dried or canned beans, peas, and lentils are issued in 1 lb bags (dried) or 15–16 oz cans. Low salt and low sodium options are allowed. Do not buy refried beans or products with added seasonings.

100% Juice

Approved in 64 oz shelf-stable bottles. Both fruit and vegetable juices are approved — including apple, grape, cranberry varieties, orange, fruit punch, tomato juice, and vegetable juice. Confirmed brands include Ocean Spray, Welch's, Stop&Shop, Krasdale, V8 (Original, Low Sodium, Spicy Hot), and Campbell's Tomato Juice (Regular or Low Sodium), plus numerous store-brand options. Use the WIC Shopper App to confirm currently approved flavors and brands before shopping.

Whole Grain Bread

Sliced loaves, rolls, or English muffins must be 100% Whole Wheat or 100% Whole Grain. Do not buy organic. Approved options include Arnold, Pepperidge Farm, Nature's Own, and store brands from Stop&Shop, Essential Everyday, Market Basket, and others.

Tortillas, Wraps, and Pita

Tortillas and wraps are issued in 16 oz packages in Whole Wheat or Whole Wheat and Corn varieties. Whole Wheat Pita is approved in 10–16 oz packages. Do not buy organic. Approved brands include Bowl & Basket and Stop&Shop.

Other Whole Grains

Approved in 10–48 oz packages: barley (pearl or pearled), oats (Old-Fashioned, Quick 1-Minute, or Steel Cut Traditional), bulgur wheat, sorghum, millet, farro, yellow cornmeal, brown rice (14–32 oz; box, bag, instant, or boil-in-bag), quinoa (including tri-color), and wild rice blends. Whole wheat or whole grain pasta is approved in 16 oz packages. Approved pasta brands include BetterGoods, Bowl & Basket, ShopRite, and Stop&Shop.

Breakfast Cereals

Approved in 12–36 oz packages. Whole grain (WG) options include Cheerios (Original, Multigrain, Hearty Nut Medley, and Veggie Blends), Chex (Corn, Wheat, Rice, Cinnamon, Blueberry), Kix (Original), Total Whole Grain, Wheaties, Grape-Nuts, Grape-Nuts Flakes, Life (Original, Cinnamon, Mixed Berry, Very Vanilla), Fiber One Honey Clusters, Honey Bunches of Oats (Honey Roasted, Almonds, Vanilla, Cinnamon Bunches, Maple & Pecans), Raisin Bran, Bran Flakes, Frosted Shredded Wheat, and Toasted Oats in store-brand form. Non-whole-grain options include Crispy Rice and Corn Flakes. Hot cereals include Maypo, Cream of Wheat (Instant), and whole grain hot wheat options.

Infant Foods

Infant formula type, brand, and size are shown on your WIC Shopping List. Iron-fortified infant cereals are approved in 8 or 16 oz boxes in Multi-grain, Oatmeal, Rice, and Grits varieties; do not buy products with added fruit, DHA, ARA, or probiotics. Approved brands include Gerber. Jarred infant fruits and vegetables (Stage 2, 4 oz — multipack and pouch options available) are approved for infants 6–12 months. Infant meats (2.5 oz — multipack available) are available for fully breastfed infants 6–12 months only; approved meat brands include Gerber and Beech-Nut Naturals (Stage 1 and Stage 2). Rhode Island WIC holds an infant food contract with Beech-Nut.

Using the WIC Shopper App

The Rhode Island WIC Shopper App is free and ad-free. Use it to scan barcodes at the store to confirm WIC approval, check your eWIC balance before shopping, find authorized WIC vendors and clinics near you, and view your WIC Shopping List. Some Rhode Island stores also use "Rhode Island WIC approved" shelf tags to identify eligible items. Your eWIC card is reusable — keep it safe and away from magnets, cell phones, and heat.

More Rhode Island WIC Resources