Assistance
WIC nutrition and breastfeeding program
WIC is a nutrition and breastfeeding program that serves pregnant women, new mothers, babies, and children ages 0-5.
Nutrition education and counseling are the cornerstones of this public health program. WIC helps families make positive nutrition and health decisions and put more fresh and healthy food on the table.
WIC also offers breastfeeding support and referrals to health and social services.
See locations and appointments section below for details.
All WIC appointments are now in-person
Please contact us to discuss any special circumstances for your family. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 612-348-6100.
Equal Opportunity provider
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
This is a U.S. Department of Agriculture requirement.
Eligibility
Hennepin County WIC availability
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women; infants, and children up to age five
- Families who meet income requirements. View income requirements.
- Residents of Hennepin County, except for residents of Bloomington, Edina, and Richfield
If you live in Bloomington, Edina, or Richfield, contact the Bloomington Public Health Department’s WIC program at 952-563-8993.
WIC does not require citizenship verification and does not ask about immigration status.
Apply
Apply online
Families living in Minnesota can apply for WIC online from the Minnesota Department of Health's WIC website (click on "Apply for WIC.")
Apply by phone or make an appointment
If you live in Hennepin County
Call us at 612-348-6100 to apply or to schedule an appointment. Help is available in any language.
If you live in Bloomington, Edina or Richfield
Contact the Bloomington Public Health Department’s WIC program at 952-563-8993.
If you live in outside Hennepin County
Call 1-800-WIC-4030.
Locations and appointments
WIC hours on the second Thursday of the month are 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. at all locations.
Health Services Building
Hours
- Mondays, Wednesdays: 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Eden Prairie
Hours
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays; and Fridays: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- First, third, fourth and fifth Thursdays: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Second Thursday of the month: 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center
Hours
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- First, third, fourth and fifth Thursdays of the month: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Second Thursday of the month: 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Northwest Family Service Center
Hours
- Mondays; Tuesdays; and Fridays: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesdays: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- First, third, fourth and fifth Thursdays: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Second Thursday of the month: 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
South Minneapolis Clinic
Hours
- Mondays; Wednesdays; and Fridays: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesdays: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- First, third, fourth and fifth Thursdays: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Second Thursday of the month: 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
WeCAN
Hours
- First and third Thursdays of the month, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30–4 p.m.
Other locations
If you live in Bloomington, Edina or Richfield, call 952-563-8993 to schedule an appointment with the Bloomington Public Health Department's WIC Program.
Foods and shopping
Families need the right foods to grow healthy children. WIC can help you get more of the best foods to feed your family.
WIC foods
- Fruit and vegetables
- Peanut butter
- Beans
- Cereal
- Eggs
- Milk, yogurt, and cheese
- Whole grains
- Baby foods
WIC shopping options
Grocery stores
You can use your WIC card to purchase more nutritious foods for your family at approved grocery stores. Find a participating grocery store.
eWIC and the WIC app
Hennepin County is now offering an electronic WIC (eWIC) card instead of paper vouchers.
The My Minnesota WIC App can be used to instantly check if a food item is WIC-allowed and easily find WIC-allowed stores nearby. WIC families can register in the app and are then able to check benefit balances and receive reminder messages for scheduled and missed appointments.
The app is currently available for iPhone version 8.0 and higher, Android version 6.0 and higher, and can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.
Breastfeeding support
Breastfeeding or chest feeding is the best challenge you’ll ever face. You can do it, with help and support. WIC offers personal connections that can help you succeed in giving your baby the best nutrition available.
Our staff
WIC nutrition staff have training to answer your breastfeeding or chest feeding questions. They can encourage and coach you for breastfeeding or chest feeding success.
WIC offers other programs to help support breastfeeding or chest feeding.
Peer counselor
You can be paired with a trained counselor, a fellow parent who has breastfed their own children. Your peer counselor is available 24-7 to answer your questions and offer guidance from their own experience.
Your peer counselor can contact you by phone or text.
Text message policy
- Text message policy in English (PDF, 1MB)
- Text message policy in Somali (PDF, 1MB)
- Text message policy in Spanish (PDF, 1MB)
My breastfeeding goal in the hospital
Families that prepare during pregnancy for their hospital experience have the best chance of meeting their breastfeeding or chest feeding goal. Share this resource with your breastfeeding champions to get off to a great start.
- Breastfeeding goal in English (PDF, 1MB)
- Breastfeeding goal in Somali (PDF, 1MB)
- Breastfeeding goal in Spanish (PDF, 1MB)
Word versions for agencies that want to use the document with their own logo.
Referrals to health and social services
WIC can link you to additional resources to help keep your family healthy and safe, including:
For more information, talk to your WIC nutritionist.
Resources for health professionals
If you are working with a Hennepin County WIC participant and have questions, call our health professional line at 612-348-8787.