WIC Vendors - Grocery

Forms for applicants
Forms for approved vendors

Any owner of a grocery store or pharmacy located in Wisconsin may apply for authorization as a WIC grocery vendor. WIC authorization does not transfer to a new owner when a change of ownership occurs. Vendors shall not accept drafts until all application requirements are met, including completing forms and submitting supporting documents, passing a site visit, completing a training program and receiving an authorization letter from the WIC Program. Completion of the application does not guarantee WIC vendor authorization. Submission of false information will result in denial of the application.

Conditions of Eligibility Vendors Must Meet

1. An acceptable history with WIC and other food and nutrition service programs of the USDA.

2. Charge a price for a standardized combination of foods which is comparable to the average price charged for those foods by other vendor applicants in the project service area in which the grocery store is located, as determined by the state WIC office.

3. Have a satisfactory site visit by the state or local WIC project wherein it is determined that:

• the store meets the minimum stock requirements on shelves or in coolers in the customer area of the store. To identify the approved foods for each category below, refer to the WIC Approved Foods List.  

WHOLE GRAINS	6 packages; 9-16 oz each. Any combination of:      100% whole wheat bread, buns or rolls; OR      soft corn tortillas; OR      whole wheat tortillas; OR      brown rice.
FRUIT AND VEGETABLES	$28 total retail value ($10 of the total retail value must be from fresh fruit and vegetables); AND 5 types fresh, frozen or canned fruits; two types must be fresh (not including lemons and limes); AND 5 types fresh, frozen or canned vegetables; two types must be fresh (not including onions, garlic and ginger root).
	Fruit Example fresh apples fresh bananas frozen strawberries canned peaches canned pineapple	Vegetable Example fresh tomatoes fresh carrots frozen peas tomato sauce canned green beans
CEREAL	6 different types (hot or cold); 9 oz boxes or larger; minimum 4 boxes of each; 2 types must be whole grain (marked "WG" on the WIC Approved Foods List).
JUICE	9 containers 64 oz; 3 different flavors; AND 12 containers 46 - 48 oz; 3 different flavors; AND 4 containers 11.5 - 12 oz frozen concentrate; one flavor.
MILK	3 gallons unflavored whole (Vitamin D or homogenized); AND  8 gallons unflavored 1% or skim (low-fat or fat-free): AND 3 half-gallons unflavored 1% or skim (low-fat or fat-free).
EGGS	4 one-dozen cartons; white only; any size; any grade.
PEANUT BUTTER	4 containers; 16 - 18 oz; any brand; creamy, crunchy, extra-crunchy or natural, low sodium/salt, reduced/no sugar.
CANNED BEANS, PEAS, LENTILS	16 cans; 14 -16 oz; three different types.
DRIED PEAS, BEANS, LENTILS	4 pounds total; two 1-pound bags of 2 different types.
INFANT FORMULA	Good Start® Gentle Plus only:     20 cans 12 oz powder, OR     62 cans 13 oz liquid concentrate, OR     10 cans 12 oz powder, AND     31 cans 13 oz liquid concentrate.
INFANT CEREAL	Gerber brand only; six 8 oz boxes; 2 different types.
INFANT FRUIT AND VEGETABLES	Gerber 2nd Foods brand only; two-pack (3.5 oz each):     6 two-packs of 3 different plain fruits, AND     6 two packs of 3 different plain vegetables.
CHEESE	There is no longer a minimum stock requirement for cheese.

• prices are marked on the food containers or posted in the immediate area where foods are kept in the customer area of the store;

• prices are not substantially higher than those listed on the application;

• the store is not in violation of applicable federal, state or local health protection laws and ordinances;

• authorized foods are not older than the expiration date indicated on the package or are otherwise fresh.

4. Following an acceptable site visit, participate in a training program at a location designated by local WIC Project staff. A signed contract, authorization letter, vendor stamp, and educational materials will be distributed at the training session.

Duration of Authorization

Initial authorization expires one year after the date on which the authorization was granted. Application for reauthorization is mailed the first of the month prior to the anniversary month.

Application Materials

• Agreement Between the State of Wisconsin and the Vendor. 
  (PDF, 27 KB) 
  Two copies are needed, and both copies must be signed and returned. A copy signed by the Department will be returned when the store is authorized.

• WI WIC Program Retail Vendor Application and Instructions. 
  (PDF, 42 KB) 
  Keep a copy of each page of the completed application for your records.

• WI WIC Retail Vendor Application Amendment. (PDF, 17 KB)
  Use this form to update your application information after it has been approved. 

• Stock Price Survey. (PDF, 40 KB) 
  Keep a copy of each page of the completed stock price survey for your records.

• WIC Retail Vendor Annual Food Sales Survey. (PDF, 29 KB) 

• WIC Approved Foods List.

• WIC Authorized Infant Formula Suppliers. (PDF, 9 KB) 

Other Documents Required

1. Copy of the bill of sale, business lease agreement, agreement to purchase, deed or other legal proof of ownership of business for purchased businesses; or business agreement, lease, deed, franchise agreement or other documentation for stores in new or vacant buildings; or copy of pharmacy license for pharmacies.

2. Copy of the License as a Retail Food Establishment (Food Dealer's License).

Regulations, Statutes and Administrative Rules

• WIC Vendor Manual (PDF, 1.4 MB) (Large file; may download slowly)   

• Title 7 CFR Part 246 as of January 1, 2005. (PDF, 297 KB)
  Or search for "7CFR246" in the Code of Federal Regulations. (exit DHS)

• Section 253.06, Wisconsin Statutes. Scroll down to page 2 for the WIC section. (exit DHS)   

• Chapter HFS 149, Wisconsin Administrative Code. 

Determination Period

Applications are reviewed within 90 days of receipt of complete applications. If the application is not complete, a notice of incomplete items will be sent and the application will not be processed further. An application returned due to incompleteness may, following completion, be resubmitted within 15 days to the State WIC Office, or a new application may be submitted at any time.

Vendor Forms 

• Complaint form

• Vendor supplies request

Department Contact

WIC Vendor Integrity
PO Box 2659
Madison, WI 53701-2659
608-266-6912

Back to "How to Become a WIC Vendor"
Back to the WICPRO home page

PDF: The free Acrobat Reader^® software is needed to view and print portable document format (PDF) files. Learn more.

Last Revised:  November 23, 2009