641—73.1 (135) Program explanation. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal program operated pursuant to agreement with the states. The purpose of the program is to provide supplemental foods and nutrition education to eligible pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and young children from families with inadequate incomes. The WIC program is administered on the federal level by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The Iowa department of public health serves as the administering agency for the state of Iowa. The Iowa department of public health enters into contracts with selected local agencies on an annual basis for the provision of WIC services to eligible participants.