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Politics & Government

17,000 Families Using WIC in Ocean County

Federal program aids women and children; Ocean County has highest number of participants in state

With more than 17,000 people taking part in it every month, Ocean County has one of the largest supplemental nutrition programs for women, infants and children in New Jersey, according to Daniel Regenye, the county’s Public Health Coordinator.

The Women, Infants and Children program, funded by the federal government, is designed for those meeting income guidelines. They get food vouchers and are taught healthy eating and food preparation with the goal of continuing good nutrition once they are no longer eligible for the program, he explained.

The program is designed for pregnant or breastfeeding women and children who are less than 5 years old.

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New income limits take effect July 1 and continue through June 30, 2012. Regenye said the limits are set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

For a family of 2, the limit is $27,214 a year, with $7,067 added for each additional family member.

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Freeholder Gerry P. Little said any family interested in applying for the WIC program can call 732-341-9700, extension 7250 in Toms River, 732-370-0111 in Lakewood, or 609-978-2500 in Manahawkin.

Little said the program is being supplemented this summer by $60,000 worth of vouchers for clients to buy produce at farmer’s markets. Two opened recently near the busy Lakewood Health Department facility on Route 9 near the Howell Township border.

Little said those eligible for the WIC program will get vouchers worth $20 to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. The vouchers are good from June 1 through Nov. 30, when New Jersey farmers are harvesting their crops.

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