Health Department

WIC provides the unique benefit of access to nutrition educators. Not only will we help you provide food for your family, we will help you learn the best ways to teach your children to enjoy eating good food. Our nutrition educators are trained to listen to your individual concerns and work with you to set goals that will improve your family’s health.

Our team includes several lactation counselors and specialists who have received advanced training in educating and supporting breastfeeding parents.

WIC Smart: Online education

Online nutrition education for Tennessee WIC is at wicsmart.com through December 2023 and coming in June 2023, through the WIC Smart App. When you have a WIC Smart appointment, you only complete one lesson for the whole family – anytime and anywhere you have access to the internet. If you need additional instructions, please call our office and ask to speak with one of our nutrition team members.

Quick WIC: Group education

Quick WIC is group nutrition education for eligible WIC clients. Quick WIC groups are available in Spanish on Tuesdays and English on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The groups meet in our demonstration kitchen on the second floor of the main facility of the Knox County Health Department. Quick WIC is an excellent way for our families to share their experiences and learn alongside other families who are on their journeys of raising young children. Many of our groups also get to sample a recipe that utilizes WIC foods. Quick WIC is a relaxed and efficient setting to learn from other families and receive your food benefits, all in about an hour.

Individual counseling

The nutrition educator will invite you to her office and talk with you about any food-related questions you have. She can also explain how to shop for WIC food in the grocery stores. The nutrition educator also knows about other resources in the community that may help meet your family’s needs.

Your conversation with the nutrition educator will wrap up once you’ve set a nutrition goal. Goals are a great way to focus on one thing you can improve – whether it’s more time with family meals or just helping your child try one new food, the educators can help you plan one small change to help keep you and your children healthy.