The National Public Health Week 2010 campaign aims to create the healthiest nation in one generation, one community at a time. Public Health Week is April 5 through 11.

The Ventura County Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program is contributing to that effort by offering a new line-up of healthful foods to eligible families.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, more than 10,000 low-income Ventura County families who participate in the WIC Program have been buying fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and soy products with their WIC checks. These nutrient-dense, lower-fat items replace some of the juice, milk, cheese and eggs traditionally offered by WIC to low-income pregnant women and their children under 5.

The revisions to the WIC-authorized foods, which are purchased with special checks in more than 90 Ventura County grocery stores, are mandated by new regulations issued in 2007 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Previously the WIC program allowed participants to purchase only the following items: milk, eggs, 100 percent fruit juice, ironfortified breakfast cereal, beans, peanut butter and infant formula.

The new allowable foods will include fruit and vegetables, whole-grain foods such as wholewheat bread and brown rice, and soy foods such as tofu and soy beverages.

Based on a scientific overhaul designed by the Institute of Medicine, the changes align WIC foods with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, for the first time in the 35-year history of the program.

To be eligible for WIC, pregnant, breast-feeding and postpartum mothers and young children up to age 5 must be at nutritional risk and with an annual income at or below $33,874 for a three-person family.

For more information, call the Ventura County WIC Call Center at (800) 781-4449, ext. 3, or go to www.wickworks.ca.gov.