More people are applying for the special nutritional coupons available through the state's Women, Infants, and Children program.

In West Virginia, about 50,000 mothers and their children have consistently turned to the WIC program in order to buy dairy products, eggs, cereal, juice and other nutritious foods.

In the last few months, those numbers have been climbing - a trend the director of the Office of Nutritional Services said this week she expects to continue.

Denise Ferris said her staff has tried to get the word out about their program. "We may have done a better job of outreach, or it may be the economy that is playing a role in increasing our numbers," she said. "I think people are seeing increased costs at every turn."

In March, there were 51,118 people in the WIC program. The count for April is projected to be 51,980. "I think the numbers will keep growing," Ferris said.

The numbers may change slightly because participants have 30 days to spend their coupons, and storeowners who accept the coupons have 30 days to send them in to be processed.

In the past, many women learned about the WIC program by word of mouth. Ferris' staff recently worked to increase awareness of the program.

The federal government, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives states participating in the program a budget to work with. Ferris said she and her staff ask participants to buy the lowest-priced item of whatever they are purchasing.

The WIC staff also collects manufacturers' rebates on items such as infant food to keep costs down.

The WIC program dates back to 1974. When health officials tried to combat low birth weight and anemia, they designed a program that would give coupons for pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants and toddlers. The coupons are taken to grocery stores or participating farmers markets to be exchanged for foods rich in iron and vitamins in an effort to ensure that children get a healthy start in life.

Participants also receive nutritional counseling to help them obtain the most nutritious food possible for themselves and their children.

Starting in October 2009, Ferris said, the coupons also will be used to purchase whole grains, fruits and vegetables. "We're excited about these changes," she said.

To contact staff writer Susan Williams, use e-mail or call 348-5112.

More people are applying for the special nutritional coupons available through the state's Women, Infants, and Children program.

In West Virginia, about 50,000 mothers and their children have consistently turned to the WIC program in order to buy dairy products, eggs, cereal, juice and other nutritious foods.

In the last few months, those numbers have been climbing - a trend the director of the Office of Nutritional Services said this week she expects to continue.

Denise Ferris said her staff has tried to get the word out about their program. "We may have done a better job of outreach, or it may be the economy that is playing a role in increasing our numbers," she said. "I think people are seeing increased costs at every turn."

In March, there were 51,118 people in the WIC program. The count for April is projected to be 51,980. "I think the numbers will keep growing," Ferris said.

The numbers may change slightly because participants have 30 days to spend their coupons, and storeowners who accept the coupons have 30 days to send them in to be processed.

In the past, many women learned about the WIC program by word of mouth. Ferris' staff recently worked to increase awareness of the program.

The federal government, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives states participating in the program a budget to work with. Ferris said she and her staff ask participants to buy the lowest-priced item of whatever they are purchasing.

The WIC staff also collects manufacturers' rebates on items such as infant food to keep costs down.

The WIC program dates back to 1974. When health officials tried to combat low birth weight and anemia, they designed a program that would give coupons for pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants and toddlers. The coupons are taken to grocery stores or participating farmers markets to be exchanged for foods rich in iron and vitamins in an effort to ensure that children get a healthy start in life.

Participants also receive nutritional counseling to help them obtain the most nutritious food possible for themselves and their children.

Starting in October 2009, Ferris said, the coupons also will be used to purchase whole grains, fruits and vegetables. "We're excited about these changes," she said.

To contact staff writer Susan Williams, use e-mail or call 348-5112.