HERMANN — One of the more popular services offered by the Gasconade County Health Department — the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program — will continue through this federal fiscal year under a renewed contract between the county and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

The availability of WIC came to the forefront of public discussion during the federal government shutdown. There was concern the nutrition-based food program would be a victim of the shutdown, but the end of the political standoff and passage of funding legislation meant the program would be on solid financial footing again.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children provides services to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to their fifth birthday based on nutritional risk and income eligibility. The primary services provided are healthy, supplemental food, risk assessment, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding promotion and support, health screening and referrals to health care. To be eligible for WIC, applicants must have an income equal to or less than 185 percent of the poverty level and be at nutritional risk.

WIC supplemental food packages are specially chosen to provide foods high in protein, iron, calcium and vitamins A and C. Eligible women and children receive fortified milk and cheese, eggs, whole grain bread products, hot and cold cereals, 100 percent fruit juices and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.

The WIC program recommends breastfeeding and provides breastfeeding support, baby foods and infant cereal. For women who cannot, or choose not to breastfeed, infants may receive supplemental, iron-fortified formula. WIC participants obtain their foods using their WIC cards to purchase specific items at participating local grocery stores and pharmacies.

Studies confirm that pregnant women who enroll in WIC during the early months of pregnancy have fewer low birth weight babies, experience fewer infant deaths, see the doctor earlier in pregnancy and eat healthier.

WIC is administered in Gasconade County by the Gasconade County Health Department. Persons interested in applying or needing more information should contact the Gasconade County Health Department at 573-486-3129. WIC clinics are offered at the following location(s):

• Gasconade County Health Department, 1714 Wein Street, Hermann, 65041 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Gasconade County Health Department, 303 North First Street, Owensville, 65066 (Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.