Spring 2025 Maine WIC Newsletter

WIC…Improving the Health of Maine Families

Exciting changes are underway at WIC that will significantly benefit Maine families. The USDA has revised the WIC food packages to align with the latest science and nutritional guidelines, furthering WIC’s mission to promote the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk. Beginning in June, families can look forward to more choice and increased flexibility to accommodate personal and cultural food preferences and special dietary needs. In addition to nutritious supplemental foods, WIC continues to offer nutrition education and referrals for other essential services. 

Meet the New WIC Foods

Foods making their appearance on WICs Approved Product List for the first time include:

New whole grain options include quinoa, farro, bulgar, wheat berries, whole grain barley, millet, spelt, and freekeh, and more

Plant-based options for milk, yogurt, and cheese

Nut and seed butters

Fresh herbs are now allowable as part of the cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables. *Herbs must be fresh and not dried or potted.

To become WIC-authorized, foods need to meet certain nutritional requirements. For more information about the regulatory requirements for WIC eligible foods, visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/food-packages/regulatory-requirements.

Reminder: Food packages are tailored to the nutritional needs and practices of individual families. Because a food is approved, it does not mean that it is included in every family’s prescribed food package.

To request a food item be added to the Maine Approved Product List, please download the Product Submission Spreadsheet (Excel) sheet from the Maine.gov/WIC website and email it to SubmitUPCWIC@maine.gov. Alternatively, you can use the WIC Shopper App’s feature “I couldn’t buy this” to submit a product for approval. 

WIC Transactions: Produce Mapping Remains Vital 

Fresh herbs should be added to the list of produce requiring mapping.

Mapping is the process of linking WIC eligible produce to similar Price Look Up (PLU) codes already included in the WIC Approved Product List (APL). Mapping enables real-time availability of produce, eliminating the need to wait for a new UPC to be approved and added to the APL. Mapping can be managed either at the store level or by corporate offices.

WIC recommends having a policy in place for times when an unmapped product makes it to the register.  For example, a policy could include asking the WIC customer if they would prefer the item be removed from their order or replaced with a different fruit or vegetable and making a note to tell the manager or corporate office to ensure the product is mapped correctly in the future. WIC representatives may ask about your mapping policy during routine monitoring visits.

Changes to WICs Minimum Stocking Requirements Scheduled for the Fall

WIC’s current minimum stocking requirements will remain in effect through the summer as stores adjust their inventory to accommodate any shifts in demand as a result of WICs new food packages.

Vendors may find they need to order more of certain foods and less of others. For example, because canned fish will now be available to all women and children on WIC, we anticipate a rise in demand for these products. Canned fish selections include chunk light tuna, pink salmon, and sardines.

As of June 1^st, there will no option for frozen juice on Maine WICs Approved Product List. Frozen juice will be removed from the Minimum Stocking List in the Fall. Until then, WIC will not include this product in the routine monitoring visits scheduled for this summer.     

For any inquiries regarding WIC's minimum stocking requirements, please contact the vendor unit at WICVendor@maine.gov.  Minimum Stocking Requirements (PDF)

WIC Infant Foods / Formula

What’s changing?

Parents may now substitute some or all of their jarred baby food for fruits and vegetables. Options for fruits and vegetables include fresh, canned, and frozen.

Quantities of infant food have been revised to align more closely with nutritional guidelines. This includes infant cereals, meats, and jarred fruits and vegetables.

What’s the same?

WIC Vendors are required to purchase infant formula from a WIC-authorized Infant Formula Supplier. You can find the current list of authorized formula suppliers and information on how to submit suppliers here: Authorized Infant Formula Supplier List (PDF)

Minimum stocking requirements for infant formula remain unchanged and are assigned based on your peer group. Minimum Stocking Requirements (PDF)

Patience During the Process

We understand that there may be an adjustment period for both WIC vendors and participants during this time. For vendors, this could include new foods to map (such as fresh herbs), shifts in demand for specific WIC items (like canned fish and whole grains), and updates to shelf tags or labels for stores that utilize them.

Stores may choose to post a notice for participants about the changes such as:

Dear Maine WIC Customer, We appreciate your patience and understanding during the upcoming WIC Food Package transition. We’re working hard to ensure everything goes smoothly and appreciate your support. Thank you for bearing with us!  To learn more, visit Maine.gov/WIC.

During this transition, WIC participants may ask about specific foods or why certain items are included or excluded from their food packages. You can direct participants to contact their local WIC office or reach out to WICVendor@maine.gov, and we will ensure their requests are forwarded to the appropriate local agency.