Tennessee WIC Approved Foods

Tennessee WIC benefits are loaded onto the TNWIC card and accepted at authorized grocery stores and supermarkets across all 14 Tennessee WIC regions. The specific foods and quantities you receive depend on your participant category — pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum, infant, or child — and are determined at your certification appointment. WIC-authorized pharmacies in Tennessee only accept the TNWIC card for specialized infant formulas and nutritionals, not for regular food items, so a grocery store is where you'll do your standard monthly shopping.

Food Categories

• Dairy: Milk, cheese, yogurt, and lactose-free options. Soy beverages are permitted as a milk substitute for participants with dairy restrictions.
• Eggs: Any color from domestic hens, including whole, liquid pasteurized, and dried egg mixes.
• Whole grains: Iron-fortified adult cereal, 100% whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole wheat tortillas, and other whole grain options.
• Legumes: Dried or canned beans and peas — only mature varieties qualify; immature legumes like green beans are not eligible.
• Peanut butter: Creamy or chunky, any brand, regular or reduced fat.
• Tofu: Calcium-set tofu is available as a protein alternative for eligible participants.
• Canned fish: Included in breastfeeding women's food packages to support nutritional needs while nursing.
• Juice: 100% fruit or vegetable juice, vitamin C-enriched, unsweetened only.
• Infant foods: Iron-fortified infant cereal, jarred baby food, and WIC-approved infant formula. Special medical formulas require a physician's referral submitted to your WIC clinic.

The Cash Value Benefit for Fruits and Vegetables

Every participant receives a monthly Cash Value Benefit (CVB) loaded onto the TNWIC card for fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables without added sugar, salt, or sauces. The current monthly CVB 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 monthly period.

Tennessee-Grown Farmers' Market Checks

Each summer, eligible WIC participants in select Tennessee counties receive $30 in Farmers' Market Nutrition Program checks (six $5 checks) to spend on fresh produce. A requirement distinctive to Tennessee's program: every item purchased with these checks must be grown in Tennessee, and participating farmers must have personally grown the majority of what they're selling. Ask your local WIC clinic whether the program is available in your area.

Shopping Tips

Download the free WICShopper app to scan product barcodes in the aisle and instantly confirm whether an item is approved, check your TNWIC balance by food category, find nearby authorized stores, and browse recipes. If an item won't scan as approved at checkout, check your shopping list from your clinic or ask staff for the current approved product list.