Tips for Shopping for WIC Foods
If you have problems at the grocery store
Here is what to do:- Ask to speak with the store manager.
- Contact your local WIC office if you are not satisfied, or
- Contact the State WIC Program at 1-800-852-5770 or wic@cdph.ca.gov.
- Save your store receipt.
-
Report the following information:
- date,
- time,
- store name,
- names of the staff involved, and
- details of the situation.
Smart shopping tips
Keep these tips in mind when shopping for WIC foods.
Save while you shop!
- Create a weekly meal plan based on sale items.
- Make a grocery list.
- Use grocery store loyalty cards.
- Use coupons.
- Buy store or generic brands.
- Take advantage of “buy one, get one free” specials.
Look for fresh foods!
- Buy fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season.
- Check product dates before buying to make sure foods are fresh.
- Check for signs of mold or spoilage before buying.
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Remember, foods bought with WIC benefits:
- May not be returned for cash or credit.
- May not be exchanged for non-WIC foods.
- May be exchanged for an identical food item only when the original item is defective, spoiled, or has exceeded a date limiting the sale or use of the food item.
No added sugars
Added sugars are not allowed in some WIC foods, such as juice, canned fruits, frozen fruits and vegetables, and dried fruits. Foods lower in sugars help prevent obesity, diabetes, some cancers, and tooth decay.
Sugar has many names. Some other names include:
Artificial, reduced-calorie, and no-calorie sweeteners are also NOT allowed. Some names for them are:
- Agave or agave syrup
- Barley malt
- Brown sugar
- Cane syrup
- Coconut sugar
- Corn sugar
- Corn syrup
- Dextrose
- Evaporated cane juice
- Fructose
- Glucose
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Honey
- Maltodextrin
- Maltose
- Maple sugar
- Molasses
- Powdered sugar
- Raw sugar
- Sucrose
- Turbinado sugar
- Acesulfame potassium
- Advantame
- Allulose
- Aspartame
- Brazzein
- Erythritol
- Glycerol
- Isomalt
- Lactitol
- Maltitol
- Mannitol
- Monk fruit
- Neotame
- NutraSweet
- Sorbitol
- Splenda
- Stevia
- Sucralose
- Tagatose
- Truvia
- Xylitol
- Yacon
Check the ingredients for added sugars or sweeteners.
See example of labels for canned pineapple below.
Additional resources:
Stretching your food benefits
- Apples - Too Good To Waste (PDF)
- Avocado - Too Good To Waste (PDF)
- Bananas - Too Good To Waste (PDF)
- Beets - Too Good To Waste (PDF)
- Berries - Too Good To Waste (PDF)
Page Last Updated: March 11, 2026