50% of all babies born in the United States are born to mothers in the "Women, Infants, & Children" program.

Friday a new "electronic" way of providing for "WIC" families was unveiled here in South Central Kentucky.

Lisa Gregory likes using her new "WIC" card.

"The card is really handy because you can get what you need."

This Electronic Bank Transfer card is now the way Gregory and mothers just like her will purchase items for their children.

Gregory says the card will also cause less attention to be focused on her when she's going through the line at the grocery store.

"Its a little more convenient and a little more private because its like an everyday transaction," she says.

The card also means "WIC" recipients won't have to buy items they don't need anymore just because they're on the voucher.

"With the EBT card, they are pre-loaded with all those same grocery items but the client has the opportunity to go to the grocery store and just get one o two of the items as needed," says Dennis Chaney, Director of the Barren River District Health Department.

What makes this EBT card different from other states who have switched from paper is that all transactions are in real time.

"The actual products that the people can purchase with those cards are embedded in the card, so it will tell the person how much product and what kind of products they can actually receive," says USDA Deputy Under Secretary of Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, Dr. Janey Thornton.

The pilot project has been in the works for two years and came to this area because Warren County has the largest "WIC" program in the state.

Gregory thinks the transition to the EBT card will be a smooth one for many mothers.

She's just happy it'll help her provide for her daughter.

"I'm looking forward to using it again."

The project actually began in Warren County in September while Barren County began using it back in August.

Houchens Stores, Save-A-Lot, Diemer's and Wal-Mart are already accepting the EBT cards.