HADLEY — An expanded Women, Infants and Children nutrition program office that will be able to serve more participants and will be easier for many to access is open at 4 Bay Road.

Community Action Pioneer Valley announced this week that it has opened the new site a short distance from the Coolidge Bridge, with a formal opening and ribbon cutting planned for early September.

“We’re right on the fare-free B43 bus line, and there’s plenty of free parking,” says Frances Hall, director of community services at Community Action Pioneer Valley. “This will make a big difference to people who may have faced challenges with transportation to Community Action WIC sites in the past.”

WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for people who are pregnant or have children under 5 years old. Participants are given a WIC EBT card that can be used at local grocery stores on items like milk, cheese and yogurt, whole grains such as bread, oatmeal and quinoa, and fresh fruits and vegetables. WIC provides breast and chest feeding support from the first prenatal visit on and other support as needed.

Lev BenEzra, executive director of Community Action Pioneer Valley, said the program acts as a partner to improve children’s health and enhance each family’s well-being and economic stability, in part through making connections with other programs, like early childhood education and care, job training and fuel assistance.

“Community Action’s WIC has been a cornerstone of healthy starts for families in our region for decades, and this new Hadley location improves access for families across Hampshire County,” BenEzra said.

Families participating in WIC, who come from Hampshire and Franklin counties and part of the North Quabbin, meet regularly with WIC staff and a nutritionist to check their children’s growth and development, ask questions, and get nutrition information.

WIC should be seen as more than a food benefit program, said Valerie O’Connell, WIC’s program director.

“It helps families stretch their food budget by providing access to healthy foods, trusted nutrition information, personalized support and valuable community resources that help children get a healthy start in life,” O’Connell said.

Other WIC offices are in Greenfield and Orange. Families interested in applying for WIC can begin on the state website, www.mass.gov/wic or by calling 413-376-1160.