Women, Infants and Children

If you could use some help in feeding your young family, check to see if you meet the requirements for WIC  (the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children).   You can receive assistance in purchasing a variety of nutritious foods,  receive nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, and referrals to health care and community resources.  In Columbus County, WIC is available through the Columbus County Health Department at 304 Jefferson Street, Whiteville, NC.  We also operate clinics once a week in Bolton, Chadbourn and Tabor City.  In addition, women and older children have the opportunity to receive special vouchers for use at the Columbus County Farmers' Market each summer. 

To be eligible for WIC, a person must:

• Be a pregnant woman; a breastfeeding woman who has had a baby in the last 12 months or a woman who has had a baby in the last 6 months; a newborn infant or child up to his or her 5th birthday.
• Live in Columbus County, North Carolina.
• Meet the income eligibility scale – the gross household income cannot exceed 185% of the federal poverty guidelines (we can help you determine if you are eligible).  You do not have to receive Medicaid to receive WIC, but all Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps) and Work First recipients do meet the WIC income eligibility criteria.  A call to the WIC office at the number listed below can help you determine if you are eligible and what you need to bring.
• Have an identified nutritional risk as determined by a health professional.  This can include, but is not limited to, anemia, poor growth, underweight or overweight, dental problems, previous poor pregnancy outcomes, inadequate dietary intake and other nutrition and diet- related problems. 

To apply for WIC, please call 910-641-3904 to make an appointment or get more information.  When applying in person or coming for the first appointment be sure to bring proof of current address, identification and proof of household income for each applicant.  If anyone in the family receives Medicaid, please bring his or her card also.   (The fax number for the Columbus County WIC Office is 910-641-3707).

For more general information about the WIC program, please go the North Carolina Nutrition Services Branch of the NC Dept. of Health and Human Services website:  https://www.ncdhhs.gov/usda-nondiscrimination-statement

Nutrition Counseling Services 

Medical Nutrition Therapy is frequently used to treat diet-related problems.   This includes but is not limited to conditions such as diabetes, elevated blood lipids including cholesterol , weight loss, eating disorders and related issues that require diet modification.

Columbus County residents may be seen by a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist at the Columbus County Health Department by making an appointment.   Referrals from the client's medical provider are required in most cases.

Medicaid is the primary insurance accepted for this service;  however, individuals without insurance may be asked to pay a fee based on income.

For further information, please call:  910-641-3904     Fax:  910-641-3707

Office Hours 8:30am-5:00pm