Product Spotlight: Nicho’s Best Soup Mix

All The Vegetables You Need To Make Homemade Soup In One Bag!

If you are looking for an amazing family meal this winter, pick up Nicho’s Best Soup Mix at JC Food Mart. 

This soup mix comes with fresh vegetables to make a hearty, homemade soup for your family. Inside the bag are the fresh vegetables you need to start your soup: cabbage, carrots, potato, celery, squash, corn and bell pepper.  

Cut and dice these veggies to start the base of your homemade soup. Add water, and any additional spices and seasonings you like to make it your own. Add any combination of your favorite soup flavors, including any rinsed and drained canned beans, peppers, canned tomatoes or sauces, garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasonings, cumin, salt and pepper. 

Your homemade soup will definitely be a family favorite. 

Pick up your Best Soup Mix at any JC Food Mart in San Antonio. JC Food Mart makes it easy to redeem all your WIC benefits in one easy stop. Find a location near you, and visit today!

 

WIC Inspired Recipe

Lemon Alfredo Bowties with Tuna & Peas

1 lb whole wheat pasta

1 cup frozen peas

2 cans tuna
Juice from ½ lemon 

(Add lemon zest to bring out more lemon flavor)

2 tablespoons minced garlic

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 ½ cups whole milk
½ stick butter

1 ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese 

(Mozzarella works great too – Just be sure not to use pre-shredded cheese!)

¼ cup flour

Season with pepper, onion powder, & oregano to your taste

Boil pasta with 1 tablespoon of salt for 10-12 minutes, or suggested cook time on package. 

Drain & set aside. In the same pot, heat olive oil at medium high heat and add minced garlic. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until golden. Add tuna and break up into smaller pieces. Add lemon zest and lemon juice, cook for 3 minutes, then add butter and half of the shredded cheese. Slowly add in milk and flour, while stirring well. Turn the heat down to medium and bring to a simmer while stirring often. Add in peas, and the other half of the shredded cheese. Cook for about 5 more minutes, stirring often, then turn off the heat. Slowly mix in the pasta. 

Top with more shredded cheese if you like!

Enjoy!

Celebrate New Year’s Day Blacked-Eye Peas, Cabbage

Cheers to 2023!

Fill Your Bowl With Symbols Of A Year-To-Come Filled With Luck, Money

It’s almost 2023! Bringing in a New Year has a set of customs and traditions. The ball drops at Midnight. Some watch fireworks light up the sky. Some may attend parties and others may cuddle up for a movie or book at home. 

New Year’s Day traditions center around food! Many people celebrate New Year’s Day with Blacked Eyed Peas, which symbolizes a year filled with good luck. Others may eat something green, like Cabbage or Greens, to symbolize a year filled with money. 

This recipe combines ‘luck’ and ‘money’ into one simple, delicious Near Year’s Day meal or side you and your family will love. Cheers to a year filled with luck and money!

BLACK-EYED PEAS

3 cups of black eyed peas (you can use canned, frozen, or dry!)

1 can of diced tomatoes 

½ head of cabbage, diced

½ onion, diced

1 lg carrot, diced

1 jalapeno, seeds removed & finely diced

4 cups of chicken broth

Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Oregano

Note: You can also use any of these leftovers you may have in you fridge to step it up a notch: 

Corn, bacon, ham, or a ham bone

Add all ingredients to a slow cooker and cook for 4 hours on high heat, season to taste.

Pick up all your WIC foods in one easy stop at any JC Food Mart location.

2 Great Recipes Using WIC Foods

Potato Soup, 3 Bean Chili Recipes To Comfort Your Family This Winter

This winter, soups are the perfect way to cozy up. We have two amazing recipes using WIC foods that will help warm your whole family on the coldest of days. These two recipes use popular WIC foods such as beans, vegetables and cheese to help make a filling family meal that you can enjoy for days to come.

BAKED POTATO SOUP

5 large russet potatoes, diced

1 teaspoon salt

5 slices thick cut bacon

1 large onion, finely diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tablespoon butter

¼ cup flour

3 cups Chicken broth

2 cups milk

1 cup sour cream

½ teaspoon pepper

2 cups shredded cheese – Colby jack, cheddar, or mozzarella work best

1/8 cup green onion chives, finely diced

Helpful Tips: 

Avoid using bagged shredded cheese, as it contains cellulose which prevents the cheese from melting smoothly.

Plain Greek Yogurt can be used instead of sour cream.

Instructions:

Submerge diced potatoes in a pot of water. Add salt and boil for about 20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain the potatoes and set aside.

Cut the bacon into squares and cook low and slow until crisp.

Add the onions and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and butter and cook for 2 more minutes. 

Slowly stir in flour while mixing and cook for 1 – 2 minutes.

Add the chicken broth, then the milk. Bring to a boil while stirring often, then reduce to a simmer. Mash the potatoes then add them to the pot. Mix in the sour cream, salt and pepper.

Remove from heat.

Gradually sprinkle in the shredded cheese. Stir until combined. Add the green onion chives and any extra cheese or sour cream you want. The soup will continue to thicken as it stands. 

Serve & enjoy!

Frijoles WIC

The temperatures are dropping. What’s more comforting than a nice warm soup or chili? Gather up WIC-approved beans and other WIC ingredients for this hearty and healthy recipe. It’s the perfect time to cozy up to a bowl of this 3 Bean Chili.

3 BEAN CHILI

1 onion, diced

1 tablespoon of minced garlic

3 celery stalks, diced

1 large carrot, diced

1 bell pepper, diced

1 jalapeno, diced

1 can of diced tomatoes with chilies

1 can of kidney beans, drained

1 can of black beans

2 cans of pinto beans, drained

1 tablespoon of butter or oil

Optional for topping:

Green onions

Cheese and/or sour cream

Turn the slow cooker on high heat. Finely dice about 2 cloves of garlic, 1 onion, 3 celery stalks, 1 large carrot, and 2 jalapenos then add to the slow cooker. Add 1 tablespoon of butter or oil & stir. Drain the liquid out of 1 can of kidney beans and 2 cans of pinto beans, then add to the slow cooker. Then add 1 can of black beans (don’t drain the liquid out of this one).

Stir & cover. Cook for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve with shredded cheese & green onion on top, and this pairs great with cornbread too! Enjoy!

Pick up all your WIC-approved beans and other WIC foods in one easy stop at any JC Food Mart store. There are 10 locations in San Antonio.

Check out our blog for more recipes using WIC-approved beans and other WIC foods. 

Texas WIC’s Expanded Fruit & Vegetable Benefits Extended Thru Dec. 16

The WIC Fruit, Vegetable Bump Extended Thru Dec. 16

Texas WIC’s extended fruit and vegetable benefits are now extended thru December! Congress approved the expanded benefits last week, which were set to expire at the end of September.

The new benefits are now available thru Dec. 16.

According to Texas WIC, “Participants who receive the increased benefits in December are able to redeem them throughout the entire month.”

According to Texas WIC, the new Cash Value Benefits (CVB) amounts for fruits and vegetables are:

  • $25 monthly for children
  • $44 monthly for pregnant and postpartum participants
  • $49 monthly for fully and partially breastfeeding participants
  • $73.50 for mothers breastfeeding multiple children

The expanded WIC fruit and vegetable benefits was expected to return to $11 for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and $9 for children Oct. 1.

WIC clients should contact a local WIC office if they have questions about these benefits.

WIC clients can get all their WIC groceries in one easy stop at any JC Food Mart ocation in San Antonio. There are 10 stores conveniently located near WIC clinics. Find a location online.

Texas WIC Formula Changes Take Effect Oct. 1

On Oct. 1, Texas WIC’s new formula contract went into effect.

Texas WIC’s contract for milk-based formulas has switched from Abbott Laboratories, the makers of Similac, to Mead Johnson, the makers of Enfamil products. The new contract is only for milk-based formulas. All other formula products remain unchanged. 

“All WIC participants receiving standard milk-based infant formulas will be transitioned to Enfamil products for benefits beginning October 2022,” according to a statement from Texas WIC.

There is a Mead Johnson product equivalent for every Abbott Laboratories product.  

If you haven’t already discussed this change with your local WIC office, contact them at your earliest convenience. 

“The WIC program is required to have a contract with one specific formula company to help keep costs down. We renew the contract every 5 years. The award for the contract from October 2022 – September 2027 for milk based formula is Mead Johnson, the makers of Enfamil. The soy-based formula will continue to be with Abbott, the makers of Similac,” according to a statement from Texas WIC.

Check Out These Hot Deals

These deals won’t last long! Check them out while supplies last!

JC Food Mart Announces Special Labor Day Hours

JC Food Mart will open certain locations for Labor Day. 

The following stores will be open from 10 AM to 4 PM on September 5th. 

  • JC Food Mart at 5271 Walzem Rd., San Antonio, TX 78218
  • JC Food Mart at 5947 Ingram Rd., Ste 101, San Antonio, TX 78228
  • JC Food Mart at 6723 S. Flores,San Antonio, TX 78221
  • JC Food Mart at 3534 Fredericksburg Rd., Ste 21, San Antonio, TX 78201
  • JC Food Mart at 539 S. General McMullen, San Antonio, TX 78231
  • JC Food Mart at 842 SW Military Dr.,San Antonio, TX 78221
  • JC Food Mart at 7428 W. Military Dr., Ste J, San Antonio, TX 78227

“We know how important it is to WIC clients, our customers, to be open at the beginning of the month,” said Mando, store manager. “We love our customers and want to make WIC shopping as easy and convenient as possible.”

JC Food Mart makes it easy for WIC clients to get all their WIC groceries in one easy stop. Our stores and staff cater to WIC clients. Walk in to get everything you need today. 

Everyone at JC Food Mart wishes your family a happy and safe Labor Day. 

By |2022-09-05T07:34:16-05:00August 16th, 2022|Categories: JC Food Mart, WIC Grocery Shopping|Tags: , |0 Comments

Expanded WIC Fruit, Vegetable Benefits Extended Thru September

Texas WIC has extended it’s expanded fruit and vegetable benefits thru the end of September.

According to Texas WIC the new benefits offer the following:

  • Children get $24 each month 
  • Pregnant, postpartum and some breastfeeding clients get $43 each month 
  • Fully and partially breastfeeding clients get $47 each month.

For example, if you are pregnant and have two children (ages 1-5) receiving WIC, you will get $91 ($43 mom + $24 child + $24 child = $91) each month in April, May and June to buy fruit and vegetables, according to WIC.

WIC clients should contact a local WIC office if they have questions about these benefits. 

The expanded WIC produce benefits are expected to return to $11 for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and $9 for children Oct. 1.

WIC clients can get all their WIC groceries in one easy stop at any JC Food Mart location in San Antonio. JC Food Mart caters to WIC clients and locations are located conveniently to WIC offices to help customers get WIC in one trip. 

Go to Top