Nutrition

The Nutrition programs are designed to enhance the health and well being of our citizens. The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program improves the health of low income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutrition education, vouchers for specific foods and referrals for health care. A board certified lactation consultant provides Breastfeeding consultation and support.

A registered dietitian provides medical Nutrition Therapy to health center patients and the public for those with health problems that are impacted by nutrition. The Bringing Nutrition Home Program through a personal nutrition assistant visits to homebound residents quarterly and provides food and nutrition information. A food pantry is also available to assist patients of the Buncombe County Health Center.

• Nutrition Counseling
• Breastfeeding Education and Support
• Height, Weight and Hemoglobin are done to determine WIC
  Eligibility
• Food Instruments are provided to purchase supplemental foods such as: milk, juice, cheese, cereal, dried beans and peas and infant formula

WIC Clinics are available at the MAHEC-WHC, Black Mountain Methodist Church on the First Monday of each month by appointment only, Emma Family Resource on the Third Monday of each month by appointment only, Asheville City Schools Preschool Program by pre-arrangement and at Misssion Hospital System Mother-Baby Unit - Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

To complete an application for WIC, you must have the following information for each family member that you are completing the application for.

Proof of identification (only one is needed): valid driver's license, Social Security Card, Medicaid Card, current military ID, birth certificate, immunization record.
Proof of Residency (only one is needed) recent water or electric bill, recent cable, gas or telephone bill, current rental or mortgage agreement.

Proof of Income (bring information for all household members): Medicaid Card, letter of Food Stamps certification or recent paycheck stubs or recent tax return for self-employed.

All family members that are to be enrolled on WIC must be present at the first WIC appointment. The immunization record must be brought to the first appointment for all children up to age 5 and infants.

To get an appointment for WIC for a new patient an application must first be completed. Applications are taken by the DSS Access Unit Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm. If the woman, infant or child is determined income eligible, the first appointment for WIC is scheduled.

Appointments for Medical Nutrition Therapy are made either by Primary Care Clinic or the nutritionist when the referral is received from the private care provider.

Payment for Medical Nutrition Therapy can be either Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance or self-pay.