WIC Program

WIC Approved Beans & Legumes

Beans, lentils, and peanut butter provide a plant-based protein option in every WIC food package, with nut and seed butter alternatives available in many states.

What Is Covered

WIC covers both canned and dried beans, peas, and lentils as a protein and fiber source, along with peanut butter as a legume-based protein. Many states also offer nut or seed butter alternatives (such as sunflower, cashew, or almond butter) for participants with a peanut allergy. Approved canned beans must be plain, without added meat, sauces, or fat.

Typical Quantities

Your monthly benefit

The bean and legume portion of your WIC package is specified in ounces or cans per month; peanut butter is typically provided in a specific jar size. Check your WIC benefit for your exact allotment.

Shopping Tips

Plain canned beans (black, kidney, pinto, chickpeas, navy beans) are widely approved. Canned refried beans are included in some states but not others — check your state's approved list for specific products and sizes.

Find Your State's Approved List

Approved brands and package sizes for beans & legumes vary by state. Select your state below for the specific list.

Alabama Alabama Department of Public Health — Bureau of Family Health Services, State WIC Office Alaska Alaska Department of Health — Division of Public Assistance, WIC Program Arizona Arizona Department of Health Services — WIC Program Arkansas Arkansas Department of Health — WIC Program California California Department of Public Health — WIC Division Colorado Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment — WIC Program Connecticut Connecticut Department of Public Health — WIC Program Delaware Delaware Health and Social Services — WIC Program District of Columbia DC Health — WIC Program Florida Florida Department of Health — WIC Program Georgia Georgia Department of Public Health — WIC Program Hawaii Hawaii Department of Health — WIC Services Branch Idaho Idaho Department of Health & Welfare — WIC Program Illinois Illinois Department of Human Services — WIC Program Indiana Indiana Department of Health — WIC Program Iowa Iowa Health and Human Services — WIC Program Kansas Kansas Department of Health and Environment — Nutrition & WIC Services Kentucky Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services — Department for Public Health, Nutrition Services Branch Louisiana Louisiana Department of Health — Bureau of Nutrition Services Maine Maine Department of Health and Human Services — Maine CDC WIC Nutrition Program Maryland Maryland Department of Health — WIC Program Massachusetts Massachusetts Department of Public Health — WIC Nutrition Program Michigan Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) — WIC Program Minnesota Minnesota Department of Health — WIC Program Mississippi Mississippi State Department of Health — WIC Program Missouri Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services — WIC and Nutrition Services Montana Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services — WIC Program Nebraska Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services — WIC Program Nevada Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health — WIC Program New Hampshire New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services — WIC Program New Jersey New Jersey Department of Health — WIC Program New Mexico New Mexico Department of Health — WIC Program New York New York State Department of Health — WIC Program North Carolina North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services — WIC Program North Dakota North Dakota Health and Human Services — WIC Program Ohio Ohio Department of Health — WIC Program Oklahoma Oklahoma State Department of Health — WIC Program Oregon Oregon Health Authority — WIC Program Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Department of Health — Bureau of Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Rhode Island Rhode Island Department of Health — WIC Program South Carolina South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) — WIC Program South Dakota South Dakota Department of Health — WIC Program Tennessee Tennessee Department of Health — WIC Program Texas Texas Health and Human Services — Texas WIC Program Utah Utah Department of Health and Human Services — WIC Program Vermont Vermont Department of Health — WIC Program Virginia Virginia Department of Health — WIC Program Washington Washington State Department of Health — WIC Nutrition Program West Virginia West Virginia Department of Health — Office of Nutrition Services Wisconsin Wisconsin Department of Health Services — WIC Program Wyoming Wyoming Department of Health — WIC Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Does WIC cover peanut butter?

Yes. Standard creamy or crunchy peanut butter in approved jar sizes is included in most WIC food packages. Reduced-fat and natural peanut butter are usually excluded — check your state's list.

Does WIC cover nut or seed butter for a peanut allergy?

In many states, yes — sunflower, cashew, or almond butter can be substituted for peanut butter if someone in your household has a peanut allergy. Contact your local WIC office to make the change.

Does WIC cover canned beans?

Yes. Plain canned beans (black, kidney, pinto, chickpeas, etc.) are generally WIC-approved. Specific brands and sizes vary by state.

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