NEWSLETTER FOR VENDORS
volume 15 issue 3
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic
JUNE 2015
Dear WIC Authorized Vendors,
This edition of the WIC Matters newsletter contains information on the
required group training sessions that stores in the metro area of the state
can now register for online. Also featured is our new WIC Food Finder App
for smartphones that WIC participants and stores can use to verify a food is
WIC allowed. We are excited to unveil this app which is scheduled to roll out
the middle of this month. As more and more participants use the WIC Food
Finder App, we want to hear from you how you think it is working. Also
included in this newsletter is an update on our eWIC planning efforts and
some additional clarification on a couple of food items recently added to the
WIC allowed food list.
Sincerely,
Rick Chiat
WIC Food Delivery Unit Supervisor
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Page 1: Summer 2015 Group Training Information
Egg Prices and Availability
Page 2: Phone App Coming Soon
Retail Store eWIC Webinar Available Online
Look for an eWIC Survey in June
Updated Maximum Price List
WIC Vendor Training Coordinator Hired
Page 3: Food Product Updates
Summer 2015 Group Training Information
Earlier this month, stores in the metro area were notified about the need to register for a Metro Area Group
Vendor Training Session. Large chain stores (Byerly’s, Coborn’s, Cub, HyVee, Target and Walmart) will receive
information and instructions about separate group training sessions from their corporate office.
Important information about group training is found below.
Metro Area Group Training Sessions:
• Registration begins June 2nd and ends June 22nd
• Training sessions will occur between July 7th and August 24th
• Register online at the following link: http://www.health.state.mn.us/2015grouptraining
All registration will be done online (except for Byerly’s, Coborn’s, Cub, HyVee, Target and Walmart stores).
When registering, please have the following information available:
• Name and title of store representative
• Address of store
• WIC Vendor stamp number
• Email address
If you have any questions or feedback, please contact Emily Gomez at [email protected]
Egg Prices and Availability
With the uncertainty in the egg market due to the Avian Flu, the Minnesota WIC maximum price
for eggs will continue to be monitored and revised as needed. If you experience any issues
with the availability of large eggs at your store, please contact Rick Chiat at
[email protected] for advice. The current maximum price for eggs is on the list found at:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic/vendor/rqrmnts/newprcng.pdf
Please check the Important Vendor News page of our website for updates on any price change at:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic/vendor/important.html
PAGE 2
WICMATTERS JUNE 2015
Phone App Coming Soon
Minnesota WIC has developed a mobile app for Apple and Android devices that scans
UPC codes and identifies whether or not a food is WIC allowed. The app was piloted
in Isanti County and is scheduled for statewide rollout in mid-June. So far, the
feedback from stores and WIC participants has been favorable – it is easy to use and
links to the WIC Shopping Guide.
We recommend all stores have access to the app in order to help resolve issues if a
customer brings an item to the register and the store’s scanning system doesn’t allow
the item on WIC. If the app shows an item is WIC allowed and the item is also listed
on the WIC voucher, the store should allow the item to be purchased and the store’s
scanning system should be updated.
A flyer that describes how to download and use the app will be given to WIC
participants, and the flyers are also available for stores to order at:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic/vendor/comm/ordering.html
If you have an item in your store you think should be WIC allowed but it does not scan
as WIC allowed when using the app, please contact Karilyn Schrankler at:
[email protected]
Retail Store eWIC Webinar
Available Online
We have posted an eWIC webinar for stores in the
Important Vendor News section of our website found at:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic/vendor/important.
html
The webinar was presented by Ellen Thompson from
Maximus, our eWIC planning contractor. The webinar
provides background information on the eWIC system and
an outline of the process for bringing eWIC to Minnesota.
USDA has mandated all states have eWIC in place by
2020. We are in the early stages of planning for eWIC, for a
statewide rollout by the 2020 deadline. Although this is still
several years away, we want you to be aware of how eWIC
works and how it might impact your store.
Hearing your questions and concerns will help us better
address issues during the planning process. If you have
questions about eWIC, please send an email to:
[email protected]
Look for an eWIC Survey in June
Later this month, stores will be surveyed by our eWIC
planning contractor regarding their electronic cash register
system and computer network capabilities. Your
participation is critical in this planning phase for eWIC.
Once the dates are finalized, we will provide further
instructions about completing the survey.
Updated Maximum Price List
Updated Maximum Price lists for WIC allowed
foods are now available on our website at:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic/vendor/rqr
mnts/guidelines.html
Maximum prices are determined using the results
from the spring Shelf Price Survey. The price lists
have updated maximum prices for all WIC allowed
foods, including whole wheat pasta and yogurt.
WIC Vendor
Training Coordinator Hired
We are pleased to announce
Emily Gomez was recently
hired as our new WIC Vendor
Training Coordinator. Emily
brings to the WIC program a unique perspective,
having worked in the retail food industry for the past
7 years, principally as the WIC Manager for
Supervalu. Emily’s responsibilities will include
coordinating vendor training activities, developing
new training materials, helping to coordinate the
vendor advisory group and working on the
development of eWIC in Minnesota.
Welcome, Emily!
WICMATTERS JUNE 2015
PAGE 3
Food Product Updates
Gerber 2-packs of 4 ounce Containers
As the availability of Gerber 2-packs of 4 oz. containers becomes more wide spread, we want to remind you that
one Gerber 2-pack of 4 oz. containers is equal to two individual jars of baby food.
When a voucher lists “16 (4 oz) jars WIC-allowed baby Fruits and Vegetables”,
these are the possible combinations of products to purchase:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
eight 2-packs
seven 2-packs and 2 jars
six 2-packs and 4 jars
five 2-packs and 6 jars
four 2-packs and 8 jars
three 2-packs and 10 jars
two 2-packs and 12 jars
one 2-pack and 14 jars
16 jars
White Potatoes
This is a reminder that all fresh potatoes are now WIC allowed and can be purchased with the Fruit and
Vegetable voucher.
• This includes red, russet, purple, and Yukon gold.
• Like all fresh produce items, bagged, individual and organic fresh potatoes are allowed.
• Most frozen potato products have added fats, oils and/or sugars (like dextrose) and are not WIC allowed.
• Like all other vegetables, the WIC allowed canned and frozen potato products are found on the UPC
listings of WIC Allowed foods at: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic/vendor/fpchng/upc/index.html
We do not have a UPC or PLU listing for the fresh fruit and vegetables your store carries. It is up to each store to
update its scanning system and mark all of the fresh potato PLUs and UPCs that it carries as WIC Allowed when
purchased with the Fruit and Vegetable voucher.
Pictorials of WIC Allowed Foods
Pictorials with package images of WIC allowed products have been created for yogurt and whole wheat pasta.
These are useful in helping you identify the WIC allowed brands available in your store. These 8.5” by 11”
pictorials can be found at and printed from the following link:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic/shopforwic/help.html
MINNESOTA WIC PROGRAM
85 East Seventh Place Suite 220
PO Box 64882
St. Paul MN 55164-0882
Minnesota WIC Program
Address
85 East Seventh Place
Suite 220
PO Box 64882
St Paul MN 55164-0882
Website
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic
Phone
651-201-4404
Toll free: 1-800-657-3942
Fax
651-215-8951
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO 171
TWIN CITIES MN
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees,
and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender
identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental
status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance
program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or
funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment
activities.)
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program
Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or
at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing
all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail
at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at [email protected].
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities and you wish to file either an EEO
or program complaint please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or
(800) 845-6136 (in Spanish).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.