01/14/2019
Food Stores and Pharmacies May Apply to Become Authorized WIC Vendors
The Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that grocery stores and pharmacies can apply to participate in the state’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) from January 7 through February 5, 2019.
Stores must meet certain criteria to participate. WIC authorized grocery stores are required to maintain a minimum inventory of healthy foods that includes fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grain bread, whole grain cereal, low-fat milk, eggs, infant cereal and formula, and other nutritious staples for moms, children and babies. Pharmacies can participate but are only authorized to sell formula.
To apply for WIC authorization, vendors should access the WIC Retailers webpage at https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/WIC/Retailers and follow the links to the Open Enrollment 2019 webpage. All information necessary to complete the online application process is available on this webpage. Applications must be submitted by February 5, 2019.
The WIC Program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered in Connecticut by the Department of Public Health providing benefits to almost 50,000 people. The WIC mission is to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health care and social services. For more information on the DPH WIC Program, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/WIC/WIC or call (860) 509-8084.