On August, 3 from 2 to 6 p.m. CAPCO WIC is hosting a Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Community Resource Fair, which will include raffle baskets, free face painting for kids, a food vendor, and a variety of resource tables from nonprofit organizations that serve families in Chenango County. Pictures are of CAPCO WIC’s breastfeeding cafes, one of several services they offer participants. (Submitted photos)

NORWICH – On Monday, August 3, families across Chenango County will have the chance to explore support services during CAPCO WIC's Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Community Resource Fair in Norwich's East Park from 2 to 6 p.m. The event, held in recognition of World Breastfeeding Month, aims to connect parents with programs that support infant feeding, maternal health, and early childhood development.

More than a dozen nonprofit partners will participate in the breastfeeding/chestfeeding fair CAPCO is hosting at East Park, including: PULSE Coalition, Cornell Cooperative Extension, PACT, Mothers and Babies Perinatal Network of South Central New York, Aunt Mary's House, The Place, Fidelis Care, the Chenango County Health Department, CCE Chenango EFNEP, Care Compass Network, UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital, Family Enrichment Network, Southern Tier Connect, Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango Head Start and Early Head Start, and the Upstate New York Poison Center.

“Families will be able to learn about services ranging from prenatal and parenting support to nutrition education, early childhood programs, healthcare resources, family services, and safety information,” said McMahon.

East Park was chosen for its central location and visibility. “It’s a place where people naturally gather,” McMahon said. “We’re hoping community members who may not have heard about the event will see what’s happening, stop by, and discover resources they may not have known existed.”

The fair will include raffle baskets, free face painting for children, a food vendor, and a variety of resource tables. “We're planning a fun afternoon for the whole family,” McMahon said. “More importantly, families will have the opportunity to meet local organizations, ask questions, and learn about services that can support them during pregnancy, infancy, and beyond.”

The Breastfeeding Coalition will also be giving an award for Breastfeeding Friendly Employer.

Holly McMahon Breastfeeding Coordinator, Certified Lactation Consultant, and Childbirth Educator at CAPCO WIC, said the program is centered on meeting families where they are.

“At WIC, we support every family's feeding journey without judgment. If someone is unsure about breastfeeding, we provide evidence-based information so they can make the decision that's right for them—not guilt or pressure,” she said, adding, “We also understand that breastfeeding isn't the right choice or isn't possible for every family, so we provide formula benefits and support those families as well. Our goal is healthy babies, healthy parents, and informed choices.”

CAPCO WIC is short for the Cortland County Community Action Program, which provides energy assistance, early childhood development, WIC program, and family development services, across Cortland, Chenango, and Tompkins Counties. WIC stands for Women, Infants, and Children, it is a federal special supplemental nutrition program through the USDA Food and Nutrition Administration department. WIC aims to support women who are currently pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding; infants, and children under five years old, with healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and connection to community resources when needed, at no cost. While you can apply and find eligibility for WIC online, CAPCO is the sole agency administering WIC services here in Chenango County.

CAPCO WIC's Chenango County Team consists of six staff members; Martina Procopio serves as the Chenango County Site Lead, providing oversight for daily operations; Loriann Spatola-Davis the WIC Director guides the overall program, a Nutrition Assistant helps participants navigate services and benefits, McMahon serves as the Breastfeeding Coordinator providing lactation education and program development, and two breastfeeding peer counselors who offer one-on-one encouragement and practical support.

“Together, our team is committed to ensuring families have access to nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and the resources they need to thrive,” McMahon said.

The organization currently serves approximately 900 WIC participants throughout Chenango County, including pregnant and postpartum individuals, infants, and young children.

McMahon explained that CAPCO WIC has traditionally hosted events during World Breastfeeding Month, but this year's fair at the park expands the focus to highlight the broader network of organizations serving families in Chenango County bringing them all together in one space. “We hope families leave knowing what support is available, feeling more connected to their community, and understanding that they don't have to face challenges on their own,” she said.

McMahon emphasized that collaboration is central to CAPCO WIC's work. She said the organization regularly partners with healthcare providers, hospitals, pediatric and obstetric offices, public health agencies, early childhood programs, social service organizations, and other community resources throughout Chenango County. “When participants have needs beyond WIC services, we connect them with the appropriate local organizations to help address concerns such as healthcare, housing, food security, mental health, parenting support, and other essential services,” McMahon said. “These partnerships help ensure families receive comprehensive, coordinated care.”

Chenango County being as rural as it is, McMahon noted that isolation and limited access to services can make infant feeding challenges harder for local families. “Breastfeeding/chestfeeding support is especially important in our rural communities because families often have fewer resources available close to home,” she said. “Rural communities often face significant barriers to accessing lactation services, including limited availability of trained providers, transportation challenges, and fewer local resources.”

McMahon explained that CAPCO WIC helps bridge those gaps by offering certified lactation support, peer counseling, breast pump assistance, evidence-based education, and ongoing encouragement throughout a family's feeding journey. “We want to ensure families know they don't have to navigate their feeding journey alone,” she said.

McMahon explained that one of the biggest challenges families report is “simply needing support” and reassurance. She said, “it's easy to question yourself, especially during difficult moments. Sometimes having someone listen and say, 'You're doing enough,' can make all the difference.”

McMahon shared a story that had stuck with her about a mother who had been involved with WIC beginning with her oldest child and continuing through each of her children. “As she reflected on her experience, she talked about how much the breastfeeding support she received from WIC meant to her over the years,” said McMahon, “Hearing her describe the lasting impact that encouragement and guidance had on her family was a powerful reminder that even small moments of support can make a lifelong difference.”

CAPCO WIC offers year-round breastfeeding support through Certified Lactation Consultants, a public Breastfeeding Cafe, and monthly childbirth education classes focused on infant feeding and pregnancy/postpartum nutrition. They hope the resource fair will become an annual tradition, strengthening connections between families and the organizations that aim to serve them.