An estimated 1 million Nebraskans have participated in the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) supplemental food program since it began 34 years ago.

They got cereal, milk, 100 percent juice drinks, some eggs, peanut butter and dried beans.

But no fresh fruit or vegetables. And no bread.

That will change this fall when WIC participants will be given checks for fruits and vegetables and will be encouraged to use whole wheat bread and brown rice.

The changes are consistent with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, said Peggy Trouba, administrator for the Nebraska WIC program, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The revised WIC food packages provide less saturated fat and cholesterol and more fiber and fruits and vegetables.

The changes, the first to the federal program since the early 1990s, will also add more complications to an already complex shopping situation.

So HHS is using two new training films, starring real WIC participants and real HyVee checkers, to provide information on the changes to a program which provides more than $30.5 million in nutritional food supplements a year to Nebraska pregnant and nursing mothers and to children up to the age of 5.

Jennifer Siefkes and Crispin Mayers are calm and gracious in the face of the complicated business of dealing with WICs rules in the training videos, produced by Reliant Studios and filmed in the Williamsburg HyVee store.

Unlike food stamp program where low-income families can buy most food items, the WIC program allows participants to get only specific kinds of food.

WIC families get multiple checks, two to four per individual, and only certain brands of products can be purchased.

Families will get additional checks for fresh fruit and vegetables beginning in October, adding another level of complexity.

Though complicated, the system helps prevent fraud and abuse and assures that people get the nutritional food they need, said Trouba.

The state will begin using one video, aimed at checkers in the 400 grocery stores that participate in the WIC program, in September.

WIC clincis will begin showing the second video to the more than 10,700 Nebraska mothers using the WIC program in October, Trouba said.

The nutritional program, paid for with federal tax dollars, encourages breastfeeding, by giving breastfeeding moms access to specialists and sometimes peer counselors, according to information about the program.

WIC is available to families at or below 185 percent of the poverty level, which is $40,793 gross annual income for a family of four.

Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com.