Grocery and Retail Locations
There are several advantages and opportunities for your business when becoming an Authorized WIC Vendor. When forming a business partnership with the WIC Program your store is offering a service not all of your competitors can or do present, is creating positive community relations, and is creating a loyal base of customers.
The application process is relatively simple. Any interested store authorized with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and in good standing, may inquire about or apply for consideration to become a West Virginia Authorized WIC Vendor.
The West Virginia WIC vendor application selection criteria includes:
- The store must meet the West Virginia WIC Program definition of a grocery store. The requirement is to be in a permanent, fixed retail location which sells on a continuous basis a variety of foods in the staple food groups of 1) meat, poultry or fish; 2) bread or cereal; 3) vegetables and fruits; and 4) dairy. The store must stock at least three different varieties of food items in each of the four staple food groups.
- The store must have at least 50% of sales (or planned sales) in non-WIC transactions. The West Virginia WIC Program will not authorize a vendor that is expected to derive more than 50% of its annual revenue from the sale of food items for WIC.
- The store's current owners, officers, or managers must not have been convicted of or had a civil judgment entered against them for any activity indicating a lack of business integrity during the last six years from the date of application. Activities indicating a lack of business integrity include fraud, antitrust violations, embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, receiving stolen property, making false claims, and obstruction of justice.
For further information, please contact the West Virginia WIC Vendor Management Unit by phone 304-558-1115 or by email
dhhrwicvu@wv.gov.
Farmers and Farmers Markets
The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) was established to provide fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants, and to expand the awareness, use of and sales at farmers' markets. A variety of fresh, nutritious, locally grown produce and herbs may be purchased with FMNP coupons. Eligible WIC participants are issued FMNP coupons in addition to their regular WIC benefits each year from June through October.
Farmers interested in participating must grow their own produce, and sell from an authorized farmers' market or a farm stand which is located in the same location for the entire season. To apply with WIC FMNP (and/or Senior FMNP), a farmer must participate in a training session and abide by the rules and regulations outlined at the time of training.
For more information on the WIC FMNP, contact the WIC Vendor Management Unit at (304)558-1115 or dhhrwicvu@wv.gov. For information on the Senior's FMNP, or to register for a training session in your local area contact Angel Wallace with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, Marketing and Development Division, by phone 304-558-2210 or by email SeniorFarmersMarket@wvda.us .