Today, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and the Department of Health Services (DHS) recognized the 50th anniversary of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program by proclaiming the day Wisconsin WIC Day statewide.
“This anniversary marks an incredible milestone for the work DHS does to ensure families across the state have the opportunity to access the healthy, nutritious food they need and the resources they deserve,” said State Health Officer and Division of Public Health Administrator Paula Tran. “Since the opening of the first WIC clinic in Wisconsin in 1974, WIC has been an unwavering beacon of support to families across the state. Today we celebrate these families, thank those who make our WIC programs operate in every corner of the state, and look toward a bright future for WIC and Wisconsin families.”
The country’s first WIC clinic opened its doors in Pineville, Kentucky, in January 1974. Later that year, Wisconsin’s WIC program began a pilot with the Great Lakes Inter Tribal Council (GLITC) WIC program, Green Bay Area Free clinic, and Menominee Tribe. Within the first year, Wisconsin WIC had a total participation of 1,300. By 1980, WIC had expanded to over 55 locations, including Wisconsin’s two major urban centers Milwaukee and Madison. By 1990, the majority of the current WIC program was in place.
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