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. Individual membership is free. By signing up to receive the Nutrition First Newsletter, you are considered a member!
Local WIC Agency Membership
All WIC agencies in Washington State are members of Nutrition First. Local WIC Agency Membership Benefits
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.
Newsletter Archives
Trainings, Advocacy, and More!
Read about trainings, advocacy opportunities, and more in this issue of the Nutrition First newsletter!
Upcoming Events
Advances in Lactation Conference – September 28, 2022
09/28/2022 @ All Day – Save the Date and Call for Abstracts: 2022 Advances in Lactation Conference Colleagues, friends, and supporters; Nutrition First, the WIC Association of Washington, is excited to announce that we are in the planning stages for this year’s Advances in Lactation Conference! The conference will again be virtual and will be held on Sept […]
Annual Nutrition Conference – June 8, 2022
06/08/2022 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – Registration for Nutrition First’s 2022 Annual Nutrition Conference is now available! The conference will again be virtual and held on June 8, 2022. Activities will begin with virtual networking at 8:30am, followed by the start of the conference at 9:00am and wrapped up by 4:00pm. This year’s theme is Shaping the Future of Nutrition Education. We are […]
Foundations in Lactation Support – available now!
09/10/2021 – 12/31/2022 @ All Day –
Updated in 2021 to be more inclusive of the diverse population WIC serves!
Recent Job Postings
WIC Program Manager 2 – Regional Health District
Be the one who paves the way for the Women, Infants and Children’s (WIC) Program to continue to help the lives of those in your community. Be the leader of the amazing team of WIC Certifiers as they partner with clients through the somewhat challenging process of address health needs during and after pregnancy and […]
Refugee Resettlement Office Volunteers
Refugee Resettlement Office Seeks Volunteers The Preferred Community (PC) Program served by the Refugee Resettlement Office (RRO) of Seattle, an affiliate of Episcopal Migration Ministries, is seeking a variety of volunteers to support the services provided to some of the most vulnerable refugees, parolees, and asylees they serve. The PC Program at RRO provides intensive […]
Program and Communications VISTA
Nutrition First is #hiring. Know anyone who might be interested? We are currently looking for an AmeriCorps VISTA as part of the Anti-Hunger Corps through Hunger Free America. If you’ve ever had an interest in public health, this is a great opportunity to grow programming and communication for an organization that serves the WA State […]
2022
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Delores Baccus
Board President
WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program Manager
Public Health Seattle and King County
Seattle WA

Stacey Busey
Board Treasurer
WIC Supervisor, RDN, CD, IBCLC
Yakima Valley Farm Works Clinic
Yakima WA

Cindy Johnson
Board Secretary
WIC Coordinator/Nutritionist
Mattawa Community Medical Clinic
Mattawa WA

Cindy Gamble
Board Past-President
Tribal Public Health Consultant
American Indian Health Commission for Washington State
Olympia, WA

Jose Romo Ramirez
WIC Nutrition Assistant/Certifier
Public Health Seattle and King County
Auburn WA

Ana Ortega
WIC Certifier/Breastfeeding Educator
Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic
Walla Walla WA

Larisa Harvey
WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator, IBCLC
Pregnancy Aid-WIC
Snohomish County

Mara Andrus
WIC Nutrition Consultant
Public Health Seattle and King County
Seattle WA
Staff

Malia Mullen
Executive Director

TBD
AmeriCorps Vista
Contact: info@nutritionfirstwa.org | 206-450-6139