Nutrition Division

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 provides nutrition information and food visits to homebound residents of Buncombe County. A food pantry is also available to assist patients of the Buncombe County Health Center.

With the help of BCTV, the Nutrition Division also offers a television cooking show called "Cooking for Your Health."

• View the Cooking for Your Health program

• Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program for infants, children to age five, postpartum women for 6 months and breastfeeding women up to one year. Food Instruments are provided to purchase supplemental foods such as: milk, juice, cheese, cereal, dried beans and peas and infant formula.
• Breastfeeding Education and Support
• Medical Nutrition Therapy
• Bringing Nutrition Home Program provides nutrition education and TEFAP foods to homebound adults whether receiving or eligible to receive Food Stamps.
• Free language assistance available

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

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday:
8:00am - 5:00pm

Thursday:
8:00am - 7:00pm

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.

• The following information is needed for each family member that you are completing the WICapplication 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.

There are no charges for WIC services or Bringing Nutrition Home Program.

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

Suzette Bartlett
Nutrition Director
(828) 250-5188
Suzette.Bartlett@buncombecounty.org

For a listing of county-wide programs & services offered by Buncombe County Government, please visit:

• Services For Adults
• Services For Children