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Winter 2026 Newsletter
Training Log
This newsletter provides training for any staff who assist with WIC sales in your store. Please have all staff handling WIC transactions and WIC benefits read this newsletter and complete the Training Log. Please keep this for your records. WIC staff will check your training logs during on-site visits.
Reporting New Products
Have you come across a product that you think should qualify for WIC but is not currently on WIC’s Approved Product List (APL)? This could be a new product or one that has not been submitted for approval before. Additionally, changes in packaging or size may result in new UPC codes that need to be added to WICs APL.
There are two ways to report these items to WIC for evaluation and possible addition to Maine WIC’s APL:
- Download the Product Submission Spreadsheet (Excel) available on our website and email it to SubmitUPCWIC@maine.gov. This option is best when there are multiple items to submit.
- Use the WIC Shopper App which has a button labelled “I couldn’t buy this”. This provides an easy way to submit the product information which is forwarded directly to the WIC team for review and approval.
Thank you for your help in keeping our APL up-to-date and for ensuring that healthy food options are available for WIC participants.
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Produce Mapping
Fresh produce items are treated differently from other WIC products. All fresh produce items, including pre-cut items and herbs, are “mapped” or linked to similar Price Look Up Codes (PLUs) currently on Maine’s Approved Product List. The mapping process is crucial because fresh produce items change often. Mapping allows for real-time availability, eliminating delays associated with waiting for new UPC codes to be added to the APL. Furthermore, all fresh produce inherently meets WIC’s nutritional standards, so it does not require the same evaluation as processed foods with multiple ingredients.
To map produce in your Point of Sale (POS) System, contact your store manager or POS provider. Often produce mapping is managed at the corporate level rather than by the individual stores. It is important to have a procedure in place for cashiers when an unmapped produce item appears at the register. For example, the cashier could inform the customer of the issue and offer them the choice to select a different item or remove it from their order. If the store allows the generic WIC PLU code of 4469 for fresh fruits and vegetables, this enables WIC customers to obtain their produce item immediately. Additionally, each cashier should know how to report an un-mapped produce item to the appropriate person for mapping.
Note: Since mapping removes the need for each fresh produce item to be entered individually on the APL, the barcode scanner feature in the WICShopper App does not work for fresh produce. If a WIC customer encounters a fresh produce item marked as “Not a WIC Item” on WICShopper, reassure them that all fresh produce is eligible for the WIC program.
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Staying Current with the WIC Approved Product List
To prevent problems at the register, please ensure that your POS Provider downloads the latest Approved Product List (APL) daily from WIC’s EBT Provider. This requirement is outlined in the Vendor Agreement signed by all grocers (Item 2.35). Contact your POS Provider with questions about your download settings. Should you encounter issues with downloading the APL, contact EBTServices@Solutran.com. An outdated APL at a grocery store can lead to the failure of an entire WIC transaction, causing frustration for both the store and WIC customers.
Note: The APL file on WIC's website is meant for reference purposes. POS Providers will download the APL directly from WIC's EBT Provider.
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New Plant-Based Beverage Options
To expand the available options for plant-based milk alternatives, WIC now allows 48-oz containers of pant-based beverages. This new size is in addition to quart, half gallon and gallon sizes. This change took effect on February 1, 2026. You can access the latest version of the cashier food guide on our website. Food Guide June 2025 (PDF). This guide outlines the allowable foods for each category.
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Formula Name Change
Abbott Laboratories announced that they will be rebranding Similac® Total Comfort® to Similac® Gentle Comfort®. This formula is one of the four formulas that contribute to WICs Minimum Stocking Requirement for contract formulas. Look for the updated labels to appear this spring.
As a reminder, the other three formulas that meet the minimum stock requirements include Similac® Advance®, Similac® Isomil®, and Similac® Sensitive®.
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New Maine Website
Earlier this year, the Maine WIC Website, Maine.gov/WIC received an upgrade. Check out Maine.gov/WIC for valuable resources tailored for WIC Grocers including:
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Policy Corner
WIC Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustments
Adjustments have been made to our policy on WICs Vendor Sanction System. The maximum amounts for WIC Civil Monetary Penalties (CMPs) have been adjusted for inflation for the year 2025. This adjustment occurs annually. You can find further details in items 4.5-4.5 of the document VM-6 Vendor Sanction System (PDF). The latest updates to all WIC Program Policies can be found on our website, https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/healthy-living/wic/wic-administration-and-policies/wic-policies.
Updated Minimum Stock Requirements
Vendors can always access the latest version of WICs Minimum Stocking Requirements on our website. https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/healthy-living/wic/vendors-and-farmers/wic/wic-vendor-minimum-stock-requirements/become-a-wic-vendor. Recent updates include the removal of the frozen juice option and the addition of a wider variety of whole grain options.
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This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Non-Discrimination Statement
Maine WIC Nutrition Program
Department of Health & Human Services
Center for Disease Control & Prevention
286 Water Street
Augusta, ME 04330
207-287-3991 1-800-437-9300
TTY: Maine Relay 711
email: WICVendor@maine.gov
website: Maine.gov/WIC
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