CLEVELAND -- Women Infants and Children, or WIC, is a supplemental nutrition program for pregnant and breast-feeding women, infants under one year, and children up to the age of five who are at risk due to inadequate nutrition.

The program is administered in Cuyahoga County by The MetroHealth System, operating 22 nutrition education program sites. More than 35,000 participants seek assistance through the program each month. Parents learn about making healthy choices through the program as well as receive financial assistance.

They receive food vouchers for nutritional necessities like milk, juice, eggs, and cheese, and starting this month they get something else. For the first time in 35 years, participants can buy and bag vegetables and whole grains. That means things like fresh greens and frozen vegetables can be purchased.

"We're doing this to improve the health status of our participants," said Susan Conover with WIC. The addition of these products not only lets participants have healthier options, it also gives them the ability to make their own choices.

WIC is a grant program funded by the department of agriculture and although it has income guidelines, more people qualify for WIC than food stamps. For more information WIC