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| General Information
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- Program Goals
The Program, in conjunction with WIC local agencies, have developed the
following goals in order to achieve better customer service and improve WIC
services to both participants and authorized WIC retailers.
- Foster positive working relationships between retailers,
the State WIC Program, local agency WIC staff, and WIC participants.
- Ensure that WIC participants, local agency WIC staff, and staff in
authorized WIC stores are advised of the Program’s policies and
procedures and how to handle WIC transactions appropriately.
- Work with WIC-approved retailers and participants to ensure that
only the prescribed foods are purchased.
- Ensure that an adequate number of retail stores are maintained to
accept WIC checks based on WIC participant access, competitive prices,
and availability of WIC foods.
These goals can be met through the joint efforts of the State WIC Program,
WIC local agencies, retailers, and WIC participants.
| A Colorado WIC Retailer Handbook has been
developed for authorized WIC retailers and sets forth the roles and
responsibilities of WIC-approved retailers and the State and Local
Agency Retailer Coordinators (LARC). Retailer Coordinators are
available both at the State and local level to work with retailers
authorized in the WIC Program food delivery system. The handbook can
be obtained by contacting the State WIC office at 303-692-2400.
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Partnering with WIC for Colorado Kids
Retailer Training Video
Watch this video to learn more information about the important partnership between the
Colorado WIC Program and authorized WIC retailers.
Do you have questions about how to use the Allowable Foods List?
Watch this video for more details.
- New Food Package Implementation
The new food packages better meet the needs of WIC participants, and
reflect current nutritional science and public health concerns. These
food packages also boost WIC's efforts to promote optimal nutrition and
breastfeeding, and better accommodate participants with cultural food
preferences.
The new food packages include:
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fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables
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dairy alternatives such as tofu and soy beverage
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more whole grain choices, including 100% whole grain
bread, brown rice, and soft corn tortillas
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canned beans
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more
varieties of canned fish
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and
fresh bananas and jarred baby foods for infants
The food packages still contain foods traditionally found in the WIC
food packages, including:
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milk, cheese, and eggs
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cereal
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100% fruit and vegetable juices
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dried beans and peas
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peanut butter
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infant formula
- Retailer Authorization
All WIC food vouchers issued within the Program are redeemed by a
limited number of authorized grocery stores, pharmacies and commissaries.
The Program does not authorize every retailer that applies.
Authorization is based on the need for a retailer within an area and the
following selection and limiting criteria:
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| Retailer Authorization
All WIC food vouchers issued within the Program are redeemed by a limited number of
authorized grocery stores, pharmacies and commissaries. The Program does not authorize
every retailer that applies. Authorization is based on the need for a retailer within an
area and the following selection and limiting criteria:
- Selection Criteria:
- The store must be a full-service grocery store with a primary function of selling
groceries.
- The store must maintain regular business hours.
- The store must meet the "
Minimum WIC Food Stocking
Requirements" in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of WIC participants.
- The store must not have had a Food Stamp or WIC Program disqualification or civil
money penalty imposed within the last two years, or be currently disqualified from
either program.
- The store must not discriminate on grounds of race, color, national origin,
gender, religion, age, disability, or political beliefs and makes reasonable
accommodations for shoppers with disabilities.
- The store must purchase infant
formula from approved suppliers.
- Limiting Criteria:
The Program, as required by federal regulations, authorizes a limited number of WIC
retail stores that will ensure participant accessibility and allow Program staff to
effectively monitor and review authorized WIC retail store performance. In addition to
the Selection Criteria listed above, the following Limiting Criteria is used to determine
retailer eligibility in the Program:
Metropolitan areas: For retailers located in metropolitan areas
(metropolitan locations are listed in the Retailer Handbook), no Retailer
will be authorized when either of the following stipulations is true:
*The participant/store ratio in the local agency is less than or equal to
200:1. OR
*Five or more retailer stores are authorized in the same zip code as the
applicant at the time of the application review.
Outside of Metropolitan areas: For retailers located outside of metropolitan
areas (i.e. areas not listed as metropolitan in the Retailer Handbook), no
Retailer will be authorized when either of the following stipulations is
true:
*The participant/store ratio in the local agency is less than or equal to
50:1. OR
*Three or more retailers are authorized in the same zip code as the
applicant at the time of the application review.
An exception to these criteria will be made if inadequate participant access
would result from denial of a retailer's application or disqualification of
another retailer in the service area.
If you are interested in becoming a WIC authorized retailer or have questions
about the WIC food delivery system, please call 303-692-2400.
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| WIC's World
- WIC's World newsletter archive
Coming Soon!
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