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Jessica Gil says she's able to stock up on more of the food she needs for her young children because of the monthly WIC food voucher she receives. And for the first time in a long time, there's more variety.

"They give you more healthy stuff, and things that actually my son likes," she says.

Starting this month, New York became the first state in the country to make major changes to its Women, Infants and Children supplemental food program known as WIC. Whole grains, low-fat milk, fruits, vegetables, tofu and brown rice are just some of the new items now available for pregnant women and those with children up to age five that qualify for the program.

The program also lowers juice amounts that have been linked to more overweight and obese pre-schoolers.

As concerns about growing rates of diabetes and obesity continue, health experts say an overhaul was desperately needed. The WIC program hasn't been altered much since it began back in 1974.

"Originally, the food package was meant to eliminate vitamin deficiencies. But now it is no longer a vitamin deficiency problem. It's over-nutrition that we have to deal with," explains Pam Harbin, director of nutrition WIC at the Ryan Community Health Center.

In general, the foods for the more than half-million New Yorkers that take advantage of the program are meant to be higher in fiber and lower in fat. Some selections like tofu and a wider variety of rice and beans are also meant to meet more cultural preferences for the first time.

The changes already have Juan Marte stocking the shelves of his C-Town grocery store in the Bronx with items he did not sell previously.

"In the past, we had various complaints because some customers would bring the WIC check in and some of the items that were in the WIC, in the check, were stale," recalls Marte. "They didn't want them anymore."

At the Ryan Community Health Center's WIC office on Manhattan's Upper West Side, not only do moms pick up vouchers, but they also get lessons on how to cook with healthier foods available through WIC.

"It's really good. Especially in this economy, it really helps," said program participant Maria Velasco. "I always want to give my daughter something with nutrition, fruits, more fruits and vegetables, and more healthy stuff."

The structure or the newly-revamped program also encourages more breast feeding, helping women who exclusively nurse to receive more benefits.

While New York is the first, all states are required to make the same changes to WIC food programs by October 2010.