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March is National Nutrition Month^®

This March, discover the power of nutrition during National Nutrition Month^®! Find out how nutrition has the power to help you and your family thrive, and how WIC nutrition staff can help guide you with information driven by science. Here are tips for each week during National Nutrition Month^®:

Week 1: Power Your Day with Nutrition.

• Choose healthful foods from all food groups.
• Alternate your food choices for a variety of nutrients.
• Avoid fad diets that promote unnecessary restrictions.

Week 2: Find Advice Backed by Science.

• Find accurate sources for nutrition information (including WIC).
• Meet with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)/WIC Nutritionist who specializes in your unique needs.
• Receive personalized nutrition information from an RDN/WIC Nutritionist to meet your health goals.

Week 3: Stay Nourished on Any Budget. 

• Learn cooking and meal preparation skills that work with the resources you have.
• Locate community resources such as WIC, 3SquaresVT, and local food shelves.
• Advocate for nutrition policies that serve you, your family, and your community.

Week 4: Feel Good with Healthy Habits. 

• Reduce the risk of foodborne illness with home food safety.
• Plan in advance to avoid mealtime stress.
• Include physical activity in ways that work for you.

Eat Right on a Budget

Discover how you can nourish yourself and your family on a budget.

Spring Forward: Daylight Saving Tips

As we "Spring Forward" for Daylight Saving Time at 2:00 am on Sunday, March 8, losing an hour of sleep can be challenging for families. Here are some simple tips to help.

• Adjust gradually: Start shifting bedtimes by 15 minutes each night to help your child's (and your) internal clock adapt ahead of the time change. For breastfeeding/chestfeeding parents, follow your baby’s hunger cues instead of the clock to maintain your milk supply.

• Sleep Better: Get 15 to 20 minutes of morning sunlight and limit screen time, especially in the evening. Even 10 minutes of daily physical activity can improve sleep and mood. Introduce calming activities before bed like a bath, reading a book, or listening to soft music. Keep a consistent sleep schedule.

Changes to WIC Food Packages

You may have noticed some changes to your WIC food packages recently.

Milk Amounts

WIC has increased the monthly milk amounts for some of the food packages, including for pregnant, fully or mostly breastfeeding/chestfeeding participants, and children.

Fruit and Vegetable Amount

The monthly fruit and vegetable benefit has increased for pregnant and postpartum participants by $1. The amount for breastfeeding/chestfeeding participants, infants, and children remains the same.

Contact your local WIC office to learn more.

Wild Rice from WIC

Wild rice is now available as a WIC whole grain option. It's a nutritious grain, and not actually rice, but the seed of aquatic grasses, native to North America. It has a chewy texture and nutty flavor.

Wild rice is rich in protein and fiber, and packed with vitamins and minerals like magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins. It's low in fat and gluten-free.

To prepare wild rice, rinse it thoroughly, then simmer in water or broth at a 3:1 liquid-to-rice ratio for about 45 to 60 minutes until the grains split open. It can be used in salads, soups, stews, casseroles, or as a side dish. Its unique flavor enhances dishes—try it with vegetables, nuts, fruit, herbs, or as stuffing for poultry.

Wild rice is a tasty, healthy whole grain option—try it in the Creamy Wild Rice Soup recipe below.

Creamy Wild Rice Soup

This soup can be made with chicken or can be vegetarian (try with cooked mushrooms, winter squash, and/or white beans). For extra flavor, add fresh herbs, such as chopped chives*, parsley*, sage*, or thyme*.

Makes 10 Servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons oil

1 cup onion*, chopped

1 cup carrots*, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic*, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)

3 cups chicken or vegetable broth or prepared bouillon

1 1/2 cups baking potato*, peeled and cubed

3 cups milk*

1/3 cup flour

2 1/2 cups American or cheddar cheese*, shredded (optional)

2 cups cooked chicken, cubed (optional)

2 cups cooked wild rice*

Salt and pepper

Directions

Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots, and garlic. Cook and stir 3 minutes.

Add broth and potato. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until potato is tender.

Combine milk and flour in a small bowl. Stir with a fork or whisk until blended.

Add the milk mixture to the pot. Cook and stir 5 minutes or until slightly thick. Remove from heat.

Add cheese and stir until cheese melts. Stir in cooked chicken and wild rice. Add salt and pepper to taste.

*WIC foods

Recipe source

Nutrition information per serving: calories 474, protein 19 grams, carbohydrates 36 grams, fat 30 grams, sodium 285 milligrams, dietary fiber 5 grams

Learn about resources that may be helpful to your family.

Claim Tax Credits This Season

Tax season is here. By filing your taxes, you might qualify for refunds through the Vermont Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Vermont Child Tax Credit. In 2025, Vermonters received an average EITC of $2,228 and a Child Tax Credit of $1,000 per child under 6. These credits can reduce your tax bill or provide a refund, even if you don't owe taxes.

EITC is available to those with low to moderate income, whether or not you have children. Child Tax Credit is for families with children under 6 and income up to $175,000.

File by April 15 to claim these credits. Free resources are available to help!

• Visit GetYourRefund.org for free filing with an IRS-certified volunteer.
• Use MyFreeTaxes.com to file online for free if you don't have self-employment income.
• Connect with your local Community Action Agency for help.



Families receiving the Vermont EITC are automatically eligible for 3SquaresVT, helping with monthly grocery costs. Don't miss out on these valuable benefits!

Infant Feeding & Baby Behavior Virtual Classes

Each month, WIC offers amazing virtual classes on infant feeding and baby behavior! Learn from WIC's expert nutrition and lactation staff and peer counselors about the basics of breastfeeding/chestfeeding, understanding your baby's cues, pumping and feeding your baby when apart.

Some days, practicing self-compassion can be harder than others. It helps to have a cheat sheet ready if your internal monologue starts to turn unkind, because in those tougher moments it can be hard to know where to begin. Save these self-compassion statements so you have them whenever you need a reminder. 💗

Do you know someone who may qualify for WIC? Tell them about all the benefits of giving WIC to their family.

Text APPLY to 1-844-839-8942 or click Apply to WIC to start an application online.

Vermont WIC | HealthVermont.gov/WIC

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.