Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

three kids, one eating a apple

WIC is a health and nutrition program for growing families.

WIC (Women Infants and Children) serves families with infants and children up to age five and pregnant and postpartum people.  All families are welcome at WIC, including dads, grandparents, foster parents and working families.

Apply online or call or text 507-328-7555. 

WIC location: 2100 Campus Drive SE, Rochester MN

WIC hours:

  • Monday – Thursday
  • 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

WIC provides nutrition information, healthy foods, lactation support and information on community programs.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

Pop-up WIC clinics

In an effort to make access to healthy foods and essential nutrition resources more convenient for families, Olmsted County WIC and Olmsted Medical Center (OMC) are teaming up to offer a pop-up WIC clinic. WIC staff have started to assist parents with enrolling in WIC and accessing the program’s benefits at OMC's Northwest clinic, 5067 55 Street NW in Rochester.

Pop-up clinic dates and times

  • Monday, October 28, 2024 - 1 to 5 p.m.
  • Wednesday, October 30, 2024 - 1 to 5 p.m.
  • Monday, November 4, 2024 - 1 to 5 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 1 to 5 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 13, 2024 - 1 to 5 p.m.
  • Monday, November 18, 2024 - 1 to 5 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - 1 to 5 p.m.
  • Monday, November 25, 2024 - 1 to 5 p.m.

This initiative is part of the national Food is Medicine movement, which emphasizes the importance of integrating nutrition-related resources to improve overall health, food security, and resilience in our communities. The pop-up clinic aims to increase access to care for families across Olmsted County. 

Families interested in learning more or scheduling an appointment at the OMC pop-up WIC clinics can contact Olmsted County WIC at 507-328-7555. You do not need to be an OMC patient to schedule an appointment.

Shopping for WIC foods

​Taking time to learn about shopping with WIC card for WIC foods before you shop will help you be successful at the grocery store.

Please note: If your WIC Card is lost, stolen or damaged, contact your WIC clinic at 507-328-7555 or call 833-566-5248. You must contact your WIC clinic to have your WIC Card replaced.

Shopping for WIC foods Online at Hy-Vee

Online WIC shopping is now available at Hy-Vee stores in Rochester and Kasson.

What you’ll need before you start online shopping:

  • Your WIC card
  • Your date of birth and zip code
  • A credit or debit card
  • Your email address
  • Your cell phone (if you want to receive texts about your order)

Go to Hy-Vee’s Aisles Online website:

Create your account:

  • Click “Log In” and “Create Account.”
  • Choose pick up or delivery, select your store, and click “Save this as My Hy-Vee.”

Add payment methods (from Account Profile):

  • Add credit, debit, or gift cards to your Payment Methods.
  • Link your WIC card and choose Minnesota as your State.
  • Enter your WIC card number, birthdate and zip code, and click “Yes, Grant Access.”

Start Shopping:

  • Add foods to your cart – you may use the “WIC filter” to show only WIC allowed foods.
  • Make sure the foods marked “WIC eligible” are also available on your WIC card before purchase.
  • Select items that total at least $24.95, the minimum for online shopping.

Checkout:

  • Your cart will show all foods being purchased. You may adjust amounts, if needed.
  • Reserve your time slot for pick up (or delivery, for a fee).
  • Your estimated total will show you what WIC WILL NOT be paying for- you may adjust the order and press “Continue” when the estimated total is what you expect.
  • Review and Payment will show the payment methods for your order. If there is an estimated total, that will be charged to your debit or credit card.
  • Place your order – you will get an email and/or text confirming your order.

IMPORTANT: This is a pilot project; we want to help ensure that all orders go through smoothly. If you receive an error or a message stating that something went wrong while the Hy-Vee system tried to process your WIC benefits, we would like to know about it and try to help.
Call your local WIC clinic or email the following information to Minnesota WIC.

  1. What type of device you used to place the order – mobile phone or computer
  2. The email you used to place your Hy-Vee Aisles Online order
  3. What foods you were trying to purchase
  4. Your WIC card number

Preparing for your WIC appointment

For a shorter appointment time, please complete the following steps before your appointment:

  1. Gather these documents: (They will help us determine eligibility)
    • ID for each household member applying for WIC
    • Proof of residency (example: mail addressed to your home)
    • Proof of household income or MA (medical assistance)
    • A complete list of ID, residency and income possible proofs can be found at Minnesota Department of Health WIC appointments.
    • A record of recent heights, weights, and hemoglobin taken by your medical provider. If you do not have records, WIC will complete these measurements a your appointment.
      • Measurements may be on a paper form from your medical provider, or an electronic record (Mayo Clinic Portal or OMC My Chart). WIC can accept a photo of the paper record or screen shot for an electronic record. The information needed on form or record is:
        • You or your child’s name
        • The date the measurements were taken
          • Height & weight needs to be less than 60 days old
          • Hemoglobin needs to be less than 90 days old
        • The actual measurements
  2. Submit documents in person to the WIC office or call WIC at 507-328-7555 to submit them electronically.
  3. Review the following information:

WIC resources

WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program

The WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program is about women in the community with personal breastfeeding experience providing support and information to other mothers. 

How WIC Peer Counselors Help

  • Address mothers’ common breastfeeding concerns.
  • Provide ongoing support to help mothers reach their own breastfeeding goals.
  • Offer help outside the usual WIC clinic hours.
  • Keep each mother’s information private.

Who Are WIC Peer Counselors?

They are mothers who:

  • Have breastfed and have had training in breastfeeding and counseling.
  • Come from the same community, culture or age group as WIC mothers.
  • Are eager to help other mothers breastfeed.
  • Provide breastfeeding information, encouragement and support.

Why Breastfeeding Matters:

  • Protects babies from ear infections, colds, allergies, diarrhea and constipation. Baby gets sick less often.
  • Helps baby’s brain develop.
  • Helps the family get more rest – no bottles to fix at night.
  • Lowers the mother’s risk of several types of cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes and heart disease.
  • Saves money: no formula or bottles to buy, fewer doctor bills and lower medication costs.
  • Is great for mother-baby bonding.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women can call the WIC office to see if you are eligible for the WIC program at 507-328-7555. For more information about the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program you can also contact the WIC office.

Health care providers

Refer a Family to WIC

Request a Medical Formula