Maternal and Family Health Services announced that the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program has increased income guidelines allowing more families to participate in the free nutrition education program.

According to the new income guidelines for WIC that began on July 1, a family of four could earn $59,478 annually and qualify for WIC.

For a family of three, the income limit is $49,303 to qualify, and a family of two can earn up to $39,128 and qualify for nutrition assistance.

WIC provides participants with supplemental healthy foods, which contain vital nutrients essential for healthy development during critical growth periods, such as pregnancy, infancy and early childhood.

WIC is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and provides nutrition education and access to healthy foods for pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children under the age of 5.

To qualify, participants must meet the income guidelines, have a nutritional or medical need, and live in Pennsylvania.

WIC participants also receive nutrition education, breastfeeding support, immunization record checks, iron deficiency screening, farmers market vouchers and referrals for other health and social services.

For more information or to apply for WIC, visit www.mfhs.org, or call 570-273-1288.