about us
Nutrition First serves as the Washington WIC Association
We support and promote breastfeeding, good nutrition, and access to food through education and advocacy. Our efforts focus on the pre-natal and early childhood populations (with an emphasis on reaching low income families); promoting prevention and shaping the health of the next generation by decreasing risk factors for chronic disease through a lifetime of good nutrition. We feel that access to healthy food is a social responsibility, and we know that good nutrition prepares a child to succeed in school and reach their full potential. Nutrition First is registered as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Mission
We support and promote good nutrition, breastfeeding, and equitable access to healthy foods through education and advocacy.
Vision
Well-nourished communities thriving in Washington State.
Membership
is comprised of those providing and/or administrating the WIC program, early learning professionals, Registered Nurses, Registered Dietitians, IBCLC’s and others with a passion in fulfilling our mission.
We would like to recognize our Lifetime Members – these individuals contributed a lifetime membership donation to Nutrition First:
Betty Clemmons
Susan Thiel
Lisa DiGiorgio
Malvina Goodwin
Barbara Krogstad
Stacey Webb
History
Nutrition First, formerly Washington Association of Local WIC Agencies (WALWICA), was founded in 1987 by six WIC staff members who recognized the need to bring together the collective knowledge of a WIC professional to strengthen the quality of services provided to low-income women, infants, and children.
2018 Board of Directors
President – Brooke Pugliese
Past President – Larisa Harvey
President-elect – Rachel Markham
Treasurer – Stacey Busey
Secretary – Heather Eliason
Mara Andrus, Delores Baccus, Nicole Carbine, Season Fagan, Cindy Gamble, Kelsey Kreiger, Cindy Johnson, Lindy Marquez, Lenora Starr, Kate Wilson
Staff
Carolyn Conner, Executive Director
Upcoming Events
Annual Advances in Lactation Conference – September 17, 2018. Seattle, WA.
09/17/2018 @ All Day – “Breastfeeding in the 21st Century” Monday, September 17, 2018 The Mountaineers Center 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 Agenda Doors open at 7:30 Event start: 8:00am Event end: 4:00pm Registration Fee $145 This educational activity is applicable for continuing education units for Nurses and Registered Dietitians and may be included as part of […]
Building on Foundations in Lactation – October 16, 2018. Toppenish, WA.
10/16/2018 @ All Day – Building on Foundations in Lactation – Tuesday October 16, 2018. Toppenish, WA. Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic – Conference Center. 501 W. 1st Avenue, Toppenish, WA. This training moves past the Foundations training and addresses more breastfeeding challenges and resources. This is a great training for clinics whose staff have already attended Foundations (or similar) […]
Foundations in Lactation Support – October 18, 2018. Seattle, WA.
10/18/2018 @ All Day – Foundations in Lactation Thursday October 18, 2018 This training has been cancelled based on low registration. The training will be offered again in Spring 2019.
Recent Job Postings
WIC Nutritionist, United General District 304 – Sedro Woolley WA
Position Summary: The WIC Nutritionist is responsible for the provision of nutrition services for the WIC Program and to carry out the goals and objectives of the WIC Program. (.2 FTE/8 hours week) Open until filled. https://unitedgeneral.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2018-05-WIC-Nutritionist.pdf