WIC Weekly Update

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May 21, 2025

IN THIS ISSUE

• Nutrition and breastfeeding
• Peer breastfeeding
• Training opportunities
• State and local agency career corner
• Nice to know
• HOLIDAYS
• RESOURCES

IMPORTANT 

Food package changes - vendor communication

Vendors had communication emailed to them on May 6 about upcoming food package changes in June. These points were shared with WIC vendors.

• WIC customers will have the option to purchase a variety of milk types at the store, but customers will still be limited to whole or low-fat milk.
• WIC customers will have the same option to choose the type of contract formula they want, but medical formulas will still be listed as only one option on the card.
• Lactaid 96oz size will be added as WIC allowed to the Approved Product List (APL).
• Some cereals will be discontinued while others will be added to the APL.

The SPOTLIGHT – Need to Know… section was also updated on the vendor webpage to give a broad overview of the changes. Visit the WIC Vendors Webpage for more detailed information.

More communication will be emailed to vendors just ahead of the changes that include UPCs of products that are being added and the cereals that are being discontinued in the APL.

If you have questions about vendor communications related to the food package changes, you may email health.wicvendor@state.mn.us.

National WIC Association participant survey

Minnesota will once again participate in the National WIC Association (NWA) WIC participant survey.  The survey is expected to be available for posting by June 2, with an expected data collection period of June 30 to Sept. 2.  The survey tool will be available in English and Spanish. The link to the survey will be sent through the MN WIC App.

Participants who complete the survey can enter a drawing.

New questions cover topics including:

• Methods for scheduling WIC appointment
• Breastfeeding support
• Communication in preferred language
• Online shopping
• Farmers Market Nutrition Program
• Satisfaction with amount of WIC foods
• Perceptions of upcoming WIC food package changes
• Immigration concerns

Minnesota will receive a copy of the data file in December and individual county-level data will be made available in a PowerPoint presentation for WIC local agencies in 2026.

Questions about the survey can directed to joni.geppert@state.mn.us.

Nutrition and breastfeeding

WIC shopping videos – all translations available

All translations of the WIC Shopping Video series are now posted to the WIC Shopping Videos webpage. Translated videos, both spoken and subtitles, are available in:

• English
• Spanish
• Somali
• Oromo
• Hmong
• French
• Amharic
• Karen

The videos are also accessible through the MN WIC App in the Shopping tab by selecting Shopping Help.

Peer breastfeeding

Peer counselor contact calculator

A new tool has been developed to help peer counselors create an example contact schedule for their new and existing clients. Check out the new Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Contact Calculator for suggested dates of contact with breastfeeding clients!

Questions or feedback, please reach out to Tina.Breitenbach@state.mn.us.

Training opportunities

Local agency staff should talk to their supervisor for approval before registering for training.

Refer to WIC Annual Required Trainings for staff training requirements.

Updated webpage

The Participant Centered Services (PCS) Mentor webpage has been changed to PCS Champions. This page was updated to provide definition of terms and will include updated resources coming later this year.

To learn more about PSC Champions, join the Champions Call Microsoft Teams Meeting on the second Tuesday of each month from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Upcoming trainings

State-sponsored breastfeeding trainings-register now!

Registration website for all seven MidWest Region (MWR) states is officially open!

For more information on trainings visit 2025 State Sponsored Lactation Courses (PDF) and MWRTrainings.com. 

Note: The Motivational Interviewing course is NOT available for Minnesota WIC staff this year.

Questions? Contact Rosie Pierce-Martin

The week ahead

Check out upcoming trainings and meetings: Local Agency WIC Calendar

State and local agency career corner

Find new job opportunities on the WIC Job Postings webpage. 

Submit job postings using the WIC Job Postings survey.

Nice to know

Summer food resources for kids

Summer is around the corner, and there are resources available to help families with food during the summer months.

• The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families SUN Bucks program (formerly Summer EBT) is an income-based food support program that provides families with $120 per eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out for the summer. It is expected to reduce food insecurity for more than 490,000 Minnesotan children this summer.
  • Eligibility and program information: SUN Bucks program
  • Outreach Toolkit: Introducing the 2025 SUN Bucks Program
  • Questions about the program? Contact the SUN Bucks Coordinator at Kelcie Litchfield.
• Meals for Kids - Hunger Impact Partners mobile app helps families and kids locate free healthy meals across Minnesota. The app is powered by GPS, showing locations of schools and community sites providing free meals. The app is updated regularly.
  • Information flyers in multiple languages are at the bottom of this webpage: Mobile App: Free Meals for Kids

Both resources are listed on our Additional Support for Families webpage.

HOLIDAYS

Monday, May 26 - Memorial Day (State office closed)

Thursday, June 19 - Juneteenth (State office closed) 

RESOURCES

WIC Agency Materials Order Form

Medical Formulas Available at Local Agencies

WIC New Staff Training

WIC Information System Training

WIC Weekly Updates (View current and past information by date or topic.)

Local Agency Photo Sharing

Questions? Email health.wic@state.mn.us.

Feedback? Submit Question and Feedback for the Minnesota WIC Program using the online form. Select Local Agency, followed by the WIC Update topic.

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