Cultural food toolkits support providers and families

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) has created a series of toolkits to help teach about the differences related to cultures and food. 

The WIC cultural toolkits were created with the WIC program staff in mind but can be a resource for anyone who supports parents.  

Some of the components of the toolkits include traditions, customs/taboos, cultures and food, feeding habits, pregnancy, postpartum beliefs and practices, breastfeeding, parenting, and holidays and celebrations. This tool can help provide a platform for equitable care by shifting personal bias and bringing an awareness of others that may lead to reduced instances of external judgment.  

• Afghan Culture and Foods (PDF) 
• African American Culture and Foods (PDF) 
• American Indian Culture and Foods (PDF) 
• Hmong Culture and Foods (PDF) 
• Karen Culture and Foods (PDF) 
• Latin American Culture and Foods (PDF) 
• Mexican American Culture and Foods (PDF) 
• Nigerian Culture and Foods (PDF) 
• Somali Culture and Foods (PDF) 
• Ukrainian Culture and Foods (PDF) 

These are working documents, and MDH will continue to develop additional resources. If you find something that is incorrect or misrepresents a culture, please email Jenny Skinner or Carole Kehnhofer from MDH’s WIC team.