Recipes Featuring WIC Foods: Fruits and Vegetables

Family-Fun Recipes Perfect For A Picnic

Looking for something new to make? We have a few family-friendly meal ideas for recipes spotlighting a popular WIC food: fruits and vegetables. 

This month Texas WIC is offering even more fruit and vegetable benefits. Here are a few ideas to serve up recipes with some great produce you can get with those added benefits. 

This first treat is perfect for kids and adults, and it’s a great treat for the summer.

RECIPES USING WIC FOODS

Banana PopsFROZEN YOGURT BANANAS

2 Bananas cut in half in the middle of the banana

1 cup Yogurt

2 tablespoons of Maple Syrup

½ teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon

Pop sticks

Insert pop stick into bottom of banana. (see photo). Combine yogurt, syrup and cinnamon in a bowl and mix. Dip the bananas in the mixture. Lay dipped bananas onto a cookie sheet. You can add sprinkles or mini chocolate chips for added fun.  Freeze for about 6 hours or until yogurt is frozen. 

This recipe is the perfect side for any summertime meal. It’s also very easy to make. 

CUCUMBER, TOMATO & ONION SALAD

1 large Cucumber, sliced.

3 Tomatoes cut into thin wedges

1 Onion, sliced

1 cup White Vinegar

2 tablespoons of Olive Oil

¼ cup Water

1 tablespoon sugar

Salt and Pepper to taste

Combine cut vegetables into a bowl. Combine all other ingredients in another bowl and mix together. Pour the mixture over the cut vegetables and mix together. Cover and place in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving.  

Pick up your WIC groceries at any JC Food Mart location in San Antonio. We provide an easy shopping format for WIC groceries and even have bilingual staff to help you get everything you need. To find a location near you, visit us online at JCFoodMart.com/locations. To learn more about Texas WIC and how to bring WIC fruits and vegetables into your home, apply online.

By |2021-06-28T09:38:34-05:00June 28th, 2021|Categories: Recipes, Texas WIC|0 Comments

Enroll In Texas WIC Online Class Monday

Texas WIC Class Offers Up Recipe To Stay Hydrated During Summer

The hot summer months have arrived, and it’s important to keep you and your family hydrated without filling up on sugary drinks. An online Texas WIC class  has several tips to help.

Texas WIC is offering an online class Monday that offers recommendations for drinks for children, ways to drink “more water and less sugar” and how to make kid-friendly infused waters and ice cubes. 

“We’ll explore the truth behind many common drinks and demonstrate recipe ideas that are not only cool for kids, but fun for the whole family,” according to Texas WIC’s online class description.

TEXAS WIC ONLINE CLASS

The “Live Discussion and Activity on Cool Drinks for Kids” class is being offered online from 1 to 2 PM on Monday, June 21st on the TexasWIC.org website. If you would like to participate, simply register for the class using the link below:

https://classes.texaswic.org/class/de408a18-4dd4-4457-82ad-c924abd56f59

You can watch the online class with a computer, tablet or mobile device that has Internet.  

JC Food Mart is a primarily WIC grocery store chain with locations in San Antonio. JC Food Mart makes it easy and convenient to shop for WIC groceries. We have bilingual staff that is familiar with the WIC program that can help you shop for the items you need. Find a location near a WIC clinic today on our website.

By |2021-06-18T11:45:26-05:00June 18th, 2021|Categories: Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|0 Comments

Summertime Pasta Recipe

Try This Recipe For Whole Wheat Pasta (A WIC Food) The Whole Family Will Enjoy

It’s summertime. That means parents need healthy, fast, no-fuss recipes that are also kid-friendly. If you are looking for a quick meal using WIC foods, try this pasta recipe.

You may find yourself using this recipe again and again this summer.  It’s easy, fast and doesn’t heat up the kitchen during those warm summer months. It’s great for lunch, dinner and makes enough for leftovers. The best part, it features several WIC foods.

 

WIC Pasta Recipe

 

 

 

 

WHOLE WHEAT PASTA AND BROCCOLI

1 16oz box of Whole Wheat Pasta, any kind (elbows, bow ties, spirals or even spaghetti)

3 cups of  Broccoli, fresh or frozen works

4 tbsp Butter

3 cloves Garlic, minced

2/3 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded or grated

1.5 to 2 cups of reserved Pasta water

Cooked Boneless Chicken, optional

Cook pasta according to package directions. When you have about 5 minutes remaining, add the broccoli.  Once broccoli is tender, drain water In a large colander. Use the cooking pot to melt the butter on low heat. Add minced garlic and saute for a few minutes, stirring often. Add pasta and broccoli back into the pot. Add cheese and pasta water. Stir until the cheese is mixed thoroughly. Mix in cooked, cut up, boneless chicken chunks if using. Enjoy!

Find more great recipes using WIC foods on the JC Food Mart blog page. JC Food Mart helps make shopping for WIC foods easy for mothers. You can find a location near WIC clinics by visiting our locations page online.

You can apply online for Texas WIC by visiting the organization’s website at TexasWIC.org.

Memorial Day Recipe Round Up

Recipes Featuring Fruits, Vegetables To Make This Weekend

There’s no better time than to start breaking into your summer recipes than Memorial Day weekend. The season offers so many great fruits and vegetables that are perfect to serve up as the weather heats up.

We are spotlighting several recipes using WIC foods perfect for this weekend and for the months to come using some of our favorite fruits and vegetables.

These cool and refreshing treats are fun for kids and are easy to make.

YOGURT FREEZER POPS 

12 oz of Fresh or Frozen Fruit (strawberries with stems removed and cut in half before blending or blueberries are our favorites)

2 cups of Plain Yogurt

¼ cup of Honey (omit if serving to children younger than 1 years old)

Puree fruit in a blender. Add yogurt. Add honey (if using) and blend together. Pour pops into molds of your choice (you can use disposable plastic cups, ice trays with wooden sticks or pop molds from the store). Freeze for 6 plus hours. When ready to eat, you can loosen the pop  from mold by running it under warm water for a few minutes to remove it from the disposable cup, ice tray or mold.

Memorial Day (and summer) is the perfect time to cook outside with family and friends. So fire up the grill for this healthy and delicious recipe spotlighting WIC vegetables and even a fruit!

FROZEN FRUIT POPS

Another idea is to pop fresh or frozen fruit into those popsicle molds (or plastic cups) and add fresh herbs, water and a pop stick. Freeze until frozen. Your kids will love the cool, fresh treat all summer long!

VEGGIE KABOBS

8 wooden/ bamboo skewers or metal skewers. You can also use an aluminum foil tray on the grill.  

Zucchini slices

Yellow Squash slices

Fresh Mushrooms

Onion, quartered

Pineapple chunks

Bell Pepper chunks

1/3 cup Olive Oil

1½ teaspoons Dried Basil

¾ teaspoon Dried Oregano

½ teaspoon Salt

¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

Garlic Powder, to taste

Soak wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes.Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Place vegetables of your choice, including these options:  zucchini, squash slices, mushrooms, onion, tomatoes, pineapple, and bell pepper onto the skewers. Mix olive oil and seasonings into a bowl. Brush onto vegetables. Cook vegetables on a preheated grill until done, turning and reapplying oil as needed for about 15 minutes.

Turn your beans into a salad with this next recipe. It’s a delicious way to eat your beans in the summertime.  The added vegetables also add a lot of flavor to this side.

PINTO BEAN SALAD

1 ½ cups Dried Pinto Beans, soaked overnight and drained

2 tablespoons Salt

2 medium Tomatoes, chopped

1 medium Onion, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons fresh Lemon Juice

1 tablespoon Lime Juice

1 teaspoon Salt

¼ cup Olive Oil

1 clove Garlic, minced (or garlic powder to taste)

¼ cup fresh Cilantro, chopped

Pepper to taste

After letting dried pinto beans soak overnight, drain them. Place beans in a large pot and cover with fresh water. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in salt and cook for another 30 minutes, until the beans are tender. Drain beans. Let beans cool. Combine lemon juice, lime juice. Add olive oil gradually until mixed well. Add garlic and cilantro. Pour dressing over warm beans and toss. Add chopped tomatoes and onions and toss well.

Get Foods For Your Memorial Day Recipes at JC Food Mart

Get all your WIC groceries at JC Food Mart locations in San Antonio. Find a location near you online. Find more great recipes on our blog.

By |2024-05-21T07:32:44-05:00May 28th, 2021|Categories: Recipes|0 Comments

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo With WIC Inspired Recipes

There’s no better reason to throw a dinner party for your family than Cinco De Mayo. To make your party perfect, we have rounded up a list of ideas for a festive family meal at home, including Cinco De Mayo WIC-inspired recipes!  Using key WIC ingredients, your family celebration will be healthy and delicious.  Plus, you don’t have to leave the house to feel you have escaped to the perfect party venue. You can turn your dining table into the perfect escape.

Here are 3 tips to make your Cinco De Mayo fiesta perfect:

GET THE KIDS INVOLVED

  1. Make a fun tablescape and decor for your home. Add lots of colors! You can even get the kids to help. Search online for instructions and inspiration to make everything from plastic egg maracas to tiny pinatas made out of toilet paper rolls and decorated with tissue paper. Here is a link for instructions for an example of the pinatas. These homemade table centerpieces are also very festive. The ideas are as endless as your imagination.

MAKE SIMPLE RECIPES WITH WIC FOODS

  1. Keep your menu simple. The party is always more perfect when there isn’t a ton of work. Simple recipes that can be made in advance (like the fruit salsa recipe below) are the perfect way to celebrate Cinco De Mayo (which falls in the middle of the week). The pinto bean salsa recipe below is also super simple and quick to make.

FIESTA!

  1. Don’t forget to enjoy yourself.  The best part about a party (even if it’s for immediate family) is to remember to have fun. Don’t stress about the details On that note, let’s get the party started with this fun Fruit Salsa Recipe. Here are a few Cinco De Mayo WIC inspired Recipes to try:

 

Fruit Salsa

 

 

FRESH FRUIT SALSA

1 cup mango (peeled and chopped)

 1 cup diced pineapple 

1/2 cup diced red pepper 

1 roma tomato, seeded and chopped

 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro 

2 tablespoons diced onion

 2 tablespoons lime juice

 1 tablespoon lemon juice 

1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped (0ptional) 

Put all ingredients in a bowl. Refrigerate for a few hours before serving.  

Here is a great recipe from the USDA’s My Plate for Salsa Beans:

Salsa Pinto Beans  Salsa Beans

1 tablespoon olive oil (or canola oil)

 1 onion (medium, chopped) 

1 clove garlic (minced, or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder) 

2 cans pinto beans (15 ounces each, drained and rinsed)

 1 cup of mild salsa

 Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until tender. Stir in the beans and salsa. Cook for 10 minutes. 

Source: Maryland Food Supplement Nutrition Education program, 2009 Recipe Calendar.

 SHOP FOR CINCO DE MAYO WIC INSPIRED RECIPE FOODS

Get your WIC foods at JC Food Mart. To find a store near you visit our location page online. Interested in joining Texas WIC? You can get your application started online. For more recipes spotlighting WIC foods, visit our blog.

Avocados Popular With Kids, Adults

Spotlight: Avocados + Recipes

Avocados might be one of the most versatile fruits at the store.  

They can shine in a wide range of recipes, like the all-time fan favorite: guacamole. This popular fruit can also be a star ingredient in everything from tuna salad to pasta. It’s even hard to find another fruit that tastes better eaten plain.

It’s no wonder why they are so popular with kids and adults alike. Avocados can take standard recipes and elevate them to a new level (like a lunch wrap or even a grilled cheese) or can add a little extra pizazz to a standard family favorite like tacos or even eggs.  

Because they are loaded with nutrition, it’s a good reason to mix them into breakfast, lunch or dinner. Unlike most other fruits, they are packed with monounsaturated fatty acids and may help reduce cholesterol levels. They are also full of fiber, potassium and other nutrients.  

But like all fruits, avocados are also a WIC-approved food. If you haven’t used your WIC benefits to pick up this versatile, nutritious fruit, we are going to give you a few more reasons (or recipes) to pick them up next time you visit JC Food Mart.

One popular avocado recipe having a moment in the online spotlight are baked avocado egg boats. If you haven’t tried this yet, it’s a fun recipe for kids and adults alike. Of course, like any recipe, it’s easy to make adjustments to add toppings you love. We will add a few variation options into our recipe for you to consider. 

 

 

BAKED AVOCADO EGG BOATS

2 avocados, ripe and ready to eat

4 eggs

¼ cup grated cheese of your choice

Salt, Pepper to Taste

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Wash avocados and cut in half. Remove the seeds. Remove about a tablespoon from each half from the center of each avocado. Reserve the scooped out inside for another recipe like guacamole or to spread on a sandwich. Put avocado halves in a baking dish. In a separate bowl, crack eggs. Spoon 1 yolk into each avocado half. Add some of the egg white to fill the avocado halves. Bake until whites are set and yolks are not running (about 20 to 25 minutes). You can cover with foil if avocados begin to brown toward the end of cooking. Top cooked avocados with grated cheese of your choice and salt and pepper. Enjoy!

FUN OPTIONAL TOPPINGS: Sauteed diced bell peppers, sauteed diced onions, salsa, chopped green onions or cilantro or even crumbled bacon bits can be added at the end to top of this delicious recipe. This is a perfect recipe to change up each time to find your favorite combo. 

AVOCADO TOAST 3 WAYS

Avocado toast is a very popular way to eat avocados. Spread it all over your whole-wheat toast for an amazing snack, breakfast or lunch. But if you want to change it up a bit are a few variations you might want to try:

  1. Add a cooked egg (anyway you like it – boiled, over easy or scrambled) Eggs and Avocado toast are a great combo.
  2. Fresh, sliced tomatoes is another great addition. Add a few slices and sprinkle with your favorite seasoning (salt, pepper or even a dried Italian mix .
  3. Add a salad on top. Mixed greens, sliced cucumbers, which add crunch and texture. This combination is great on a hot summer day. It’s an easy, healthy meal.

Shop for avocados and other WIC foods at JC Food Mart. Find locations and products on our website. To apply for Texas WIC, visit them online at TexasWIC.org.

By |2023-09-13T14:19:48-05:00May 4th, 2021|Categories: Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Grocery Shopping, WIC Nutrition|Tags: , |0 Comments

4 Healthy Lunches With WIC Foods

Looking for new, healthy lunches with WIC foods? We have 4 new recipes to help make your lunch a little more exciting.

These easy and quick, less-fuss recipes are easy to make and perfect for prepping early in the week to make your lunches easy and fast to grab. Afterall, nobody wants to waste precious time during the week fussing over cooking. If you are meal prepping, consider our notes at the end of each recipe to help make it even easier.

The best part about all these recipes is they are easily adjustable to add or subtract some of your favorite ingredients to make it perfectly yours. Here are 4 lunches with WIC foods:

Rice Bowl Using WIC Foods

 

 

 

 

 

VEGGIE RICE BOWL

1 Cup Brown Rice, cooked

1/2 Cup Sliced Cucumbers

1 Sliced Tomato

Sliced Onion

1 Avocado

1/2 cup Cooked Green Peas

2 teaspoon Olive Oil

Juice from a Lemon or Lime

2 teaspoon Dijon Mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook rice according to package directions. Put cooked rice in a large bowl. Slice all vegetables and add to the bowl with the rice. Make a dressing in a separate bowl by combining olive oil, lemon or lime juice and dijon mustard. Mix dressing into the rice and vegetable bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Makes 2 bowls. Enjoy!

MEAL PREP TIP: To make this recipe faster, prep the dressing in advance and store in the refrigerator. You can also pre-cook the rice and store in the fridge. Slice and dice cucumbers, tomato and onion (along with cooked peas) when prepping and store in the refrigerator. Add avocado right before eating.

Stuffed Peppers with WIC Foods

 

 

 

 

 

BEAN & VEGGIE STUFFED PEPPERS

4 Bell Peppers

1 tablespoon of Olive Oil

1/2 cup Onion, Diced

½ cup of Corn, optional

1 15 oz can Black Beans, drained and rinsed

2 cloves Garlic, minced

1 tsp Cumin

1/2 tsp Chili Powder

1 8 oz can of Tomato Sauce

1 cup cooked Brown Rice

1 cup of Cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove tops from peppers. Scoop out and clean the inside of the peppers. Saute onions in olive oil until they are tender. Add garlic and continue cooking for another minute. Stir in mashed black beans, cooked corn, cumin and chili powder. Add tomato sauce and cook for 1 more minute. Remove from heat and stir in cooked rice. Fill peppers with the mixture and place inside a baking dish. Top each pepper with shredded cheese and bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

MEAL PREP TIP: This meal can be cooked a day in advance and stored in the fridge. Reheat before serving.

Tuna Lettuce Wraps with WIC Foods

 

 

 

 

 

LETTUCE TUNA SALAD WRAPS

¼ cup diced Bell Pepper

¼ cup diced Cucumber

¼ cup diced Onion

1 can of Tuna, drained

¼ cup of Mayonnaise

Salt and Pepper to taste

4 large torn Lettuce Leafs

Mix all ingredients together in a medium size bowl. Chill before serving. Scoop desired amount of tuna salad into a large lettuce leaf and roll up. Enjoy!

MEAL PREP TIP: Tuna can be made and stored in the fridge for a few days.

Avocado Toast with WIC Foods

 

 

 

 

 

AVOCADO, BOILED EGG ON WHOLE WHEAT TOAST

1 slice of Whole Wheat Toast

1 Egg, boiled

½ Avocado, mashed

Salt and pepper to taste

Boil egg in water for 10 minutes, until cooked. Drain, rinse and cool before removing shell and slice. Mash the inside of avocado and spread onto toast. Place sliced boiled egg on top of avocado toast. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

MEAL PREP TIP: Boil egg in advance and store in fridge.

Interested in joining Texas WIC? Apply online at TexasWIC.org. Shop JC Food Mart to easily pick up WIC groceries. Learn more about the products JC Food Mart offers. Also, learn more about JC Food Mart online.

By |2021-06-15T10:10:02-05:00April 27th, 2021|Categories: Meal Planning, Recipes, Texas WIC, Uncategorized, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|0 Comments

Healthy Pregnancy, Food & WIC

What You Eat During Pregnancy Matters

Are you craving ice cream or pickles? 

 Your body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy. Hormones are in overdrive. You are using extra energy to grow a tiny human. It’s understandable if you have a few cravings. 

While you might be tempted to feed all your cravings, you might have to keep some of them in check. If you are craving a huge green salad by all means go for it. If you want to take down an entire pint of ice cream  in one sitting – every day – you might want to consider moderation.

Some women might think that you get “permission” to gain a lot of weight once you are pregnant. But you might be surprised it’s normal to gain about 25 to 35 pounds, depending on your pre-pregnancy weight. Sticking to a healthy routine will also make your delivery and post delivery easier. 

For a healthy pregnancy, Texas WIC advises that women carrying multiple babies might gain more. If you are overweight you may need to gain less. Also, weight gain will happen slowly. During the first 3 months, women usually gain 1 to 5 pounds. In the last 6 months, it may be more like 1 pound per week. Texas WIC experts also  recommend that most women only need an additional 350 to 450 calories a day during the last 6 months. 

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By |2021-06-15T10:11:09-05:00April 20th, 2021|Categories: Mom Health, Pregnancy, Recipes, Texas WIC|0 Comments

WIC Babies Grow Healthy & Strong

WIC Helps Mothers Achieve Baby Milestones

As babies grow from infants to toddlers they graduate dozens of baby milestones, from eating purees, finger foods and walking. Your baby’s pediatrician can help you learn if your baby is on track. Being aware of major developments can ensure your tot is staying on track. Texas WIC can also help your baby stay on track to grow healthy and strong.

Bringing a newborn home from the hospital can be overwhelming. There is so much to learn and process – how to feed, making sure they are safe and loved, learning to decode their baby language. As you get to know your baby and all the traits that make them uniquely them, you will also start picking up on your baby’s developments. It’s something you can observe and watch from Day 1. It’s also one of the biggest joys of being a parent, watching your baby grow and learn.

There are endless resources online about baby milestones, but don’t get overwhelmed and remember they are just a guide. Your baby’s doctors are the ultimate resource. Plus, any resource you use (online, book, etc.) are only tools to help you ask the right questions to your doctor. 

One great online resource is, Texas WIC. Their experts have outlined some of the milestone highlights of a baby’s first year online.

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By |2021-06-15T10:12:18-05:00April 19th, 2021|Categories: Recipes, San Antonio, Texas WIC, Uncategorized, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|0 Comments

Snack on WIC Foods

Make Healthy Snacks With WIC Foods

Finding a healthy snack (for adults and kids) can be difficult. The temptation for all kinds of unhealthy munchies seems to lurk at every turn, but there are so many healthy delicious snacks you and your little one can try instead. To make it easy, snack on WIC foods.

Making sure your snack has nutritional value is the key. Vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber are important building blocks to a healthy snack. Healthy snacks may include options with fruit, veggies, protein, whole grains and calcium. Healthy WIC Snacks

Snacking on WIC foods helps ensure there is nutrition in your snack.

If your snack doesn’t have a lot of nutritional value – like candy that is filled with sugar but doesn’t offer much more – you probably want to find a healthier option. Health experts recommend steering away from unhealthy fats, sugar and empty calories as much as possible.

If you are looking for ideas, we have a few.  Here are some options to consider: avocado on whole grain toast, peanut butter toast, banana slices with peanut butter, smashed black bean dip with carrots or celery, oatmeal and peanut butter balls, yogurt or rolled up slices of cheese.

Don’t let the ideas stop there. You can search Texas WIC’s website for more recipes here. There are lots of resources online for more even more ideas, including the USDA’s recipe bank

SNACK TIPS FROM WIC PROS

WIC experts recommend serving a variety of food and leading by example, according to their website

Texas WIC experts also suggest getting kids involved in the kitchen to help create healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Age-appropriate activities might include cutting “foods into fun and easy shapes with cookie cutters.”

TEXAS WIC VIRTUAL CLASSES

Texas WIC offers virtual nutrition classes. Nutritionists cover a range of topics for pregnant mothers and mothers trying to help their children eat as healthy as possible.

Here are a few classes currently being offered from Texas WIC that provide even more tips on nutrition. Simply click on the links below and follow the instructions for registration:

Nutrition and Self Care For A New Mom:

https://classes.texaswic.org/class/318ec769-e60e-435c-a2d8-7677073dfc65

Smart Snacks for Children:

https://classes.texaswic.org/class/b69b25dd-256d-44c3-96ec-6eb4c062644d

Whole Grains For Good Health:

https://classes.texaswic.org/class/f1c68938-0c4b-4c8d-a044-c0edb4055c41

Follow the Rainbow with Fruits and Vegetables:

https://classes.texaswic.org/class/46cbe8de-89d6-49d2-98d0-c5a7ee827a29

Picky Eaters – Making Peace with Food:

https://classes.texaswic.org/class/f88f2776-d09e-48d9-af28-670df02284fc

Texas WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for expectant mothers and their children up to age 5 who meet certain criteria. The program provides nutrition counseling and support, free monthly food packages and breastfeeding support.  To find out if you may be eligible, visit TexasWIC.org to apply. 

Get the ingredients for your healthy snacks at JC Food Mart, a primarily WIC grocery store chain in San Antonio. JC Food Mart locations are conveniently located near WIC clinics. To find a location near you, visit JCFoodMart.com/locations. See a list of products on our website to learn more.

 

 

By |2021-04-08T09:59:02-05:00April 8th, 2021|Categories: Child Health, Mom Health, Recipes, Texas WIC, WIC Food, WIC Nutrition|0 Comments
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