Changes to WIC food packages

The City of Saint Joseph Health Department, located in the Patee Market Health Center at 904 S. 10th St., has received its contract from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to provide WIC services for federal fiscal year 2009-10. Under the terms of the contract, the City of St. Joseph Health Department will be able to serve 2,127 persons eligible for WIC every month.

In addition, effective Oct. 1, Missouri is making its greatest changes to the WIC food package in more than 30 years. The changes are designed to encourage more women to breastfeed their babies and to help fight obesity, one of the nation’s fastest growing health concerns. Some of the changes to the program include the following: Breastfeeding promotion — Fully breastfeeding mothers receive the most variety, largest quantity of food and a $10 cash value voucher for fruits and vegetables. Fully breastfed infants (6 to 12 months) receive baby food meats and larger quantities of baby food fruits and vegetables.

Additions and deletions to the food package: WIC clients can purchase whole grains and fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. Beginning at 6 months, all infants receive infant fruits and vegetables. Soy milk and tofu may be given as an alternative to milk, with medical documentation. Canned beans are also offered as an alternative to dry beans. The amount of milk, eggs, juice and cheese is reduced for women and children. Juice is eliminated for infants. The amount of infant formula is reduced for partially breastfed and older infants.

For more information, call 271-4723.

Public flu clinic

The City of St. Joseph Health Department will hold a free public flu clinic for immunizations for seasonal influenza from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 7 or until its vaccine supply is gone. This clinic is only for seasonal influenza vaccinations (not the H1N1) for adults aged 65 and over or persons 64 and under with heart, lung or kidney disease; diabetes; or anyone who has an already compromised immune system due to another medical problem. A physician’s note is not required.

The flu clinic will be held at the Firefighter’s Local 77 Bingo Hall, located at 4314 S. 40th St. (enter off of Highway 169 at Pettis Road and follow signs). Drive-up, curbside service will be available for any person with mobility issues that make it difficult to receive services inside the building.

Medicare or MO HealthNet patients must bring their card and present it at the registration site. For more information, call 271-4725.

‘Transitions’

The 18th annual No More Stares conference will be Oct. 29 at the Holiday Inn Riverfront Hotel, 102 S. Third St. The theme for this year’s conference is “Transitions.” No More Stares is created by people and for people with any type of disability.

The conference will consist of a variety of breakout sessions, a silent auction that helps keep conference registration prices affordable and booths with information from area agencies. There will also be an evening program with keynote speaker Jessica Cox, who was born without arms and now flies airplanes, making her the first female pilot in aviation history to fly with her feet.

Registration is $25 for people with disabilities and their family or support staff and $40 for other professionals. The cost to attend the keynote dinner only is $20. Partial scholarships are available; call 279-8558 or 242-9326 to inquire.

The registration deadline is Oct. 22, and cancellations must be received by 3 p.m. Oct. 29. For more information or to obtain a registration form, call MERIL at 279-8558.

Lifestyles reporter Erin Wisdom can be reached at ewisdom@npgco.com.