Update!
Expanded WIC Fruit, Vegetable Benefits Extended Thru September
Texas WIC has extended it’s expanded fruit and vegetable benefits thru the end of September.
According to Texas WIC the new benefits offer the following:
- Children get $24 each month
- Pregnant, postpartum and some breastfeeding clients get $43 each month
- Fully and partially breastfeeding clients get $47 each month.
For example, if you are pregnant and have two children (ages 1-5) receiving WIC, you will get $91 ($43 mom + $24 child + $24 child = $91) each month in April, May and June to buy fruit and vegetables, according to WIC.
WIC clients should contact a local WIC office if they have questions about these benefits.
The expanded WIC produce benefits are expected to return to $11 for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and $9 for children Oct. 1.
WIC clients can get all their WIC groceries in one easy stop at any JC Food Mart location in San Antonio. JC Food Mart caters to WIC clients and locations are located conveniently to WIC offices to help customers get WIC in one trip.
Enjoy Summer WIC Foods This July 4!
Summer is in full swing. Que the fireworks because this July 4th is going to be HOT! We have summer WIC foods and fun activities your plans this holiday weekend.
If you are ready to kick off July 4th with a big bang, we have some great tips to help you cool down and chill and celebrate with your family this holiday weekend – all spotlighting foods WIC foods you can redeem with your EBT card.
The fun doesn’t stop there. We also rounded up some family-friendly activities for the entire family.
SUMMER WIC FOODS: PICNIC PERFECT (SPOTLIGHTING WIC INGREDIENTS)
Many people will fire up the grill this holiday weekend. We have the perfect grill addition and a few sides that go perfect with your family picnic.
SUMMER WIC FOODS: GRILLED POTATOES 
Wrap your russet potatoes up in foil and throw them on the grill. Before closing the foil, feel free to add your favorite seasoning blend and a little olive oil for some extra flavor. Place them on the grill rack and let them cook. You know they are done when a knife slides easily into the center of the potato. Remove from grill and let cool. Remove foil and get ready for the fluffiest, smokiest tasting “baked” potato you can imagine. Add toppings (cheese, plain yogurt, salt, and pepper to taste) of your choice.
SUMMER WIC FOODS: SALSA MADE WITH GRILLED PEACHES
While your grill is out, slice open peaches ( a great summer WIC food) in half and throw them cut side down on the grill for this amazing recipe you will want to keep eating ALL SUMMER LONG.
4 ripe peaches pitted and sliced in half
1 red onion diced
2 ripe tomato diced
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional)
1 lime juiced
Salt & pepper to taste
Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Brush the peaches with olive oil and place them cut-side down onto the grill. Grill for about 5 minutes until the peaches are soft but not mushy. In a bowl combine the remaining ingredients. Remove hot peaches from the grill. Let them cool before dicing them. Add to bowl and mix with remaining ingredients. Serve.
INDEPENDENCE DAY FAMILY FUN
Spending time with loved ones is the best medicine. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to put a smile on a kid’s face and enjoy quality family time. In fact, sometimes the simpler things are the best. Here are a few ideas we loved for spending extra quality time with the family this holiday weekend.
- Make Patriotic Crafts –It is fun to make something patriotic for the holiday. We found a few ideas you might like on Pinterest. Check them out here and here.
- Visit A Local Park
- Make A Snack Together – Check out our blog for great kid-friendly recipes the whole family will love.
- Find Fireworks Displays Where You Live – If you are looking for a fireworks display close to where you live check this out. You are sure to find one near you.
DON’T WASTE TIME, GET YOUR SUMMER WIC FOODS TODAY!
With so much family fun planned, stop by any of 10 JC Food Mart locations around San Antonio to pick up all your WIC groceries in one easy stop. Don’t search aisles for WIC-approved foods. JC Food Mart caters to WIC clients, and everything in the store is WIC approved. You will be in and out with your groceries for your family picnic. Find a location near a WIC clinic near you on our website.
Ways To Save Money This Summer
Everything seems to cost more these days: gas, groceries, and almost everything else. Here are a few tips to help parents save money this summer on everything from groceries to gas. HINT: Maximizing Texas WIC can help!
MAKE FEWER TRIPS
One way to save gas money is to try to fit in as many errands into the same trip. Fewer trips to an area help reduce the number of miles you are driving to get there and back. Mapping out your errands this way also helps you save time.
For example, if you are driving to a WIC clinic to renew your benefits then pick up your WIC groceries at a nearby PWIC store that caters to WIC clients. Stores like JC Food Mart locations are usually really really close to WIC clinics. Sometimes they are even next door. Find a PWIC store near you at JCFoodMart.com/locations.
SAVE MONEY WITH WIC: USE EBT
Another way to save money is to make sure you redeem all your EBT benefits. Remember, if you don’t use your WIC benefits by the end of the month they expire. SNAP benefits never expire so redeem your WIC benefits first. Bonus, JC Food Mart locations accept WIC and SNAP EBT.
Using programs like WIC for food benefits will help you save money on food. Plus, PWIC stores like JC Food Mart caters to WIC clients. That means we have all your WIC items in one place, and the bilingual staff is familiar with the program if you need help.
PLAN YOUR MENU AHEAD, SAVE MONEY WITH WIC FOODS
Another way to save money is to plan your menu for the week or even the month ahead. It also helps create less waste. For example, if you roast veggies you can use them for two meals in one week by using them in a stir-fry one night, as a side, or even in a salad or a grilled sandwich. It also helps you save time because you can cook multiple meals at one time.
Plus, check out our blog for more recipe ideas using WIC foods.
It’s also a great activity for kids. When you get them involved, you can have age-appropriate conversations about healthy foods, meal planning, and not wasting food.
Visit These JC Food Mart Locations July 4th
Select JC Food Mart locations will open July 4th to help WIC clients needing to access their benefits the first week of the month.
The following stores will open 10 AM to 4 PM Monday July 4th:
- JC Food Mart at 5271 Walzem Rd., San Antonio, TX 78218
- JC Food Mart at 5947 Ingram Rd., Ste 101, San Antonio, TX 78228
- JC Food Mart at 6723 S. Flores,San Antonio, TX 78221
- JC Food Mart at 3534 Fredericksburg Rd., Ste 21, San Antonio, TX 78201
- JC Food Mart at 539 S. General McMullen, San Antonio, TX 78231
- JC Food Mart at 842 SW Military Dr.,San Antonio, TX 78221
- JC Food Mart at 7428 W. Military Dr., Ste J, San Antonio, TX 78227
Everyone at JC Food Mart wishes you and your family a happy and safe July 4th.
Looking for recipes using WIC foods for a perfect for your July 4th weekend celebration? Check out our blog.
Looking For Fun Summertime Activity For The Kids?
Check Off Mealtime, Playtime At Same Time!
Who said you couldn’t play with your food? Getting kids into the kitchen is a great activity to get their creative juices flowing. It’s also a great way to keep them interested in eating healthy WIC foods.
Healthy WIC foods don’t have to be boring. In fact, you and the kids can turn their little plates into works of art all with some of your favorite WIC ingredients. Gather up some of your favorite WIC foods (oatmeal, fruits, vegetables and tuna fish) for these fun ideas that will get your kiddos excited to help out in the kitchen.
WIC FOOD: OATMEAL
Oatmeal is a super healthy WIC food. It’s also a super healthy snack. For the first snack of the day, let your kids help “decorate” a bowl of oatmeal like their pets or animals. These fruits make great faces: sliced bananas, berries of all kinds, apple pieces cut into fun shapes and maybe even a little peanut butter to hold pieces together. What little one wouldn’t love eating this yummy, healthy creation once they are done?
Oatmeal is a great WIC food because it’s full of fiber, iron and other vitamins and minerals like zinc.
WIC FOOD: FRUIT CRITTERS 
Getting your kids to eat more fruit is easy when you make fruit critters. Slice up some of your favorite fruits and let your toddlers “color” their plate by turning the fruit into fun animals. You can get them started by making a few of your own. It’s also fun to cut fruit into fun shapes using kid-friendly cookie cutters.
WIC FOOD: VEGGIE PALS
Having a hard time getting enough vegetables into your tot’s stomach? Serve them a plate of green peas that look like a friendly frog.
WIC FOOD: TUNA FISHY 
First, make a bowl of tuna fish, using this great Texas WIC recipe. Then let the little ones help by spreading it on a piece of toasted whole wheat bread. Place another piece of whole wheat bread on top. Let the kids decorate the sandwich into fruit to make it look like a fish. See photo above. Orange quarters, banana slices and berries can all be used to make fun fish faces and fins. Looking for a little more creative inspiration? Check out this recipe idea from Texas WIC.
Texas WIC is an advocate of getting kids in the kitchen to help in “age-appropriate ways,” and these recipes are a great way to get them involved. For more tips from including kids in the kitchen, check out these tips online.
RENEW YOUR WIC BENEFITS AND REDEEM THEM IN THE SAME TRIP
Next time you need WIC foods, visit a nearby JC Food Mart store to get all your WIC foods in one easy stop. JC Food Mart locations are located near WIC offices to make it super convenient for clients to get everything they need.
There are 10 locations throughout San Antonio. Visit online to find a store near you.
Visit our blog for more recipes using WIC foods.
JC Food Mart To Open Select Stores Memorial Day
JC Food Mart will open select locations on Memorial Day to help WIC clients needing to access their benefits at the end of the month.
The following stores will open 10AM to 4 PM Monday, May 30:
- JC Food Mart at 5271 Walzem Rd.,San Antonio, TX 78218
- JC Food Mart at 7428 W. Military Dr., Ste J, San Antonio, TX 78227
- JC Food Mart at 3534 Fredericksburg Rd., Ste 21, San Antonio, TX 78201
- JC Food Mart at 5947 Ingram Rd., Ste 101 San Antonio, TX 78228
- JC Food Mart at 539 S. General McMullen, San Antonio, TX 78231
- JC Food Mart at 842 SW Military Dr., San Antonio, TX 78221
Everyone at JC Food Mart wishes you and your family a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.
Looking for recipes using WIC foods for a perfect Memorial Day weekend celebration? Check out these recipes from our blog using WIC foods.
Recipes Using WIC Approved Salsa & Tomato Sauce
Recipes Spotlighting 2 New WIC-Approved Foods
JC Food Mart is offering two new WIC products that will help make healthy family recipes a breeze.
The stores are currently offering Always Save® mild jarred salsa and canned tomato sauce. These two new products can help busy moms save time in the kitchen. Here are a few recipes you are going to want to try with these two new products.
Both products are redeemable as WIC foods in the fruits and vegetable category. Learn more about WIC’s expanded fruit and vegetable benefits here.
Try this recipe using our new jarred salsa:
BLACK BEAN & SALSA PASTA MELT
1 jar (16 oz) salsa
1 ½ cups of water
2 cups of elbow macaroni
1 can black beans, drained
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Add drained black beans to a skillet. Add salsa and water and stir. Bring everything to a boil. Add macaroni and reduce heat on medium-low and cover. Cook until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes. Add cheese and cover until it is melted. Enjoy!
Here is a recipe featuring our new tomato sauce:
EASY SKILLET VEGETABLE PASTA
½ tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 can tomato sauce (8 ounces)
1 cup water
8 ounces of uncooked pasta, such as elbow macaroni
2 cups fresh or frozen vegetables (ideas: chopped carrots, tomatoes or bell peppers)
½ cup grated cheese
Add olive oil to a pan and heat on medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic powder. Add tomato sauce, water and uncooked pasta. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes. Add fresh or frozen vegetables, stir and cook until pasta and vegetables are tender, about 10 more minutes. Add cheese and heat until melted. Enjoy!
Visit anyJC Food Mart storeto pick up these two new products today!
Cinco De Mayo!
Ideas, Recipes For Celebrating May 5 With The Entire Family
Make Queso Using WIC Cheese & Homemade Tortilla Chips
There are so many fun ways to celebrate Cinco De Mayo with your family. Go for a picnic, or even just decorate your home in the colors of the Mexican flag. No matter how you choose to celebrate, Cinco De Mayo is a great time to remember heritage and spend time with loved ones.
Cinco De Mayo is a holiday that celebrates when Mexican army’s victory in 1862 over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War.
Making traditional Mexican food and snacks is one way to celebrate! Yum! Here are some great foods to add a little flavor for the holiday using WIC-approved foods: queso dip using WIC cheese and homemade tortilla chips:
HOMEMADE TORTILLA CHIPS
12 corn tortillas
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Salt
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Brush oil on both sides of the tortilla. Cut each tortilla into sixths to make triangle chips. Place cut tortillas in a single layer on baking sheets and season with salt. Bake until crispy.
QUESO DIP WITH WIC CHEESE
1 pound American cheese slices, quartered
¼ cup milk
½ cup jarred salsa
Combine cheese and milk in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until cheese is melted. Add salsa, mix and enjoy.
CINCO DE MAYO FAMILY FUN
To celebrate in big style, you can even make your own DIY piñata with an empty cereal box and fill it with small toys or treats. Check out this fun video tutorial on how to make your own.
GET WIC CHEESE + MORE AT JC FOOD MART
Get all your WIC groceries at JC Food Mart, a chain of stores that caters to WIC clients. Our unique shopping format features personalized bilingual customer service to help you get in and out with all your WIC foods as easy and fast as possible. Find out how easy WIC grocery shopping can be. Visit any of our locations in San Antonio Today.
San Antonio WIC Shopping
Benefits Of Shopping WIC at JC Food Mart
Do you find that shopping for WIC products seems frustrating? Get all your WIC-approved groceries at JC Food Mart.
Shopping WIC at JC Food Mart is easier and faster than what you are probably used to at bigger stores. Our primary focus is WIC clients, so customers get the personalized service and attention they deserve.
Stop wasting time and find out how easy San Antonio WIC shopping can be.
6 Benefits Of WIC Shopping At JC Food Mart
Friendly, Bilingual Staff
Our staff caters to WIC clients. They are familiar with the WIC program and can help answer your questions. They are bilingual – speaking both English and Spanish – for even added ease to your shopping experience. Plus, some of our staff have even been WIC clients. Because JC Food Mart caters to WIC clients, you are in a no-judgment zone.
Everything In The Store is WIC Approved
WIC clients won’t have to waste time searching for WIC-approved items. Everything is WIC approved. Plus, because we focus on WIC groceries, customers don’t waste any time at checkout with items not ringing up as a WIC items. We know our WIC items are WIC approved.
Easy, Fast Shopping Format WIC Shopping
JC Food Mart locations are conveniently close to WIC clinics. Once you walk in you will discover an easy, fast shopping format geared specifically to WIC shoppers. You don’t have to search aisles. Just walk up to our counter, insert your WIC EBT card and our staff will walk you through the rest. You will have all your WIC groceries ready to go in minutes.
We Know San Antonio WIC
Because we cater to WIC customers, we are very familiar with the WIC program. Our staff can help answer any questions you may have, and JC Food Mart has contacts with WIC staff in case there is a specific need that arises. We are here to help.
Personal WIC Shopping Help
You aren’t shopping alone at JC Food Mart. You get personalized attention from the moment you walk in the door. You won’t feel overwhelmed with getting your WIC groceries. Our staff gathers all the WIC items for you as you select them and rings them up. The process is easy and fast.
San Antonio WIC Shopping – Everything You Need In One Stop
JC Food Mart has everything you need in one place. You won’t have to go from store-to-store looking for everything you need. Visit any of our locations in San Antonio today to find out how easy WIC grocery shopping can be jcfoodmart.com/locations.