Oregon's Women, Infants and Children program served 119,464 people in 2025, up from about 114,000 the previous year, the Oregon Health Authority said. The program has expanded breastfeeding support and modernized access to nutrition services.
More than 97 percent of Oregon WIC participants choose to start breastfeeding, according to the Oregon Health Authority. Participants are supported by internationally board-certified lactation consultants, designated breastfeeding experts and peer counselors.
In recent years, Oregon WIC has expanded technology options allowing participants to attend appointments remotely, communicate with WIC staff by text, sign documents securely online, complete flexible online nutrition education, and choose from a wider variety of healthy foods reflecting cultural preferences and dietary needs.
Marion County resident Diane Smith had struggled to breastfeeding her first three children. With help from WIC lactation coaches and nutrition staff, she successfully breastfed her two youngest children. "I wish more women had the information I had from the lactation coaches and from the nutrition information," Smith said. "It made me have more confidence and not be afraid to even do it out in public."
"WIC continues to modernize to make it easier for families to get the nutrition and breastfeeding support they need," Oregon WIC Director Tiare Sanna said. "We're listening to participants and finding new ways to make WIC more accessible, flexible and responsive to families' lives."