Our breasts are best! The Shasta County WIC Program has been given a “Premiere Breastfeeding Award of Excellence” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Shasta County is one of just 56 breastfeeding peer counselor programs nationwide who have received the recognition for this year. Local coordinator Sara Stone says the program has helped Shasta County achieve a rate of 39% of infants exclusively breastfed until the age of 1. The rate was just 4% prior to the program. There’s more information at shastawic.net. Shasta County WIC is celebrating National Breastfeeding Month with artwork by local parents on display at the Redding Farmers Market this Saturday outside City Hall.
-Steve Gibson