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The WIC food package changes start Jan. 12, 2026. Whole grains will be shown in ounces rather than pounds and new food options will be added to the WIC approved product listing (APL). More details: WIC food package and cash value benefit (CVB) changes, Jan. 12, 2026 (PDF)
Holiday schedule for Abbott, Mead Johnson, Nestle, and Nutricia
Consider the holiday schedule when ordering medical formula.
Closed:
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Abbott - Dec. 25 - 26, and 31 and Jan. 1, 2026
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Mead Johnson - Dec. 24 - 26 and Jan. 1 - 2, 2026
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Nestle - Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, 2026
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Nutricia - Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, 2026
Holiday schedule for the weekly update
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Week of Christmas – no weekly update
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Week of New Year’s Day – will be sent Tuesday, Dec. 30
We have added two new resources to the WIC Cultural Toolkit. The first is a Latin American toolkit, and the second is a Mexican American toolkit. Please take some time to review these resources to learn more about these cultures.
These are working documents, and we will continue to develop additional resources. If you find something that is incorrect or misrepresents a culture, please email Carole Kelnhofer or Jenny Skinner. If you would like to provide feedback on what additional toolkits we should develop and prioritize, please complete the survey Toolkits for Local Agencies by January 16, 2026. We use your feedback to prioritize new toolkits that are developed as time and resources allow.
Meaningful minutes: WIC skills in 10
Preventing Anemia in Women, the second in the training series, is now available at Meaningful Minutes - WIC Skills in 10. To view, scroll down to the Training videos and worksheets section.
Action steps:
- Watch the short, on-demand video.
- Check out the resources.
- Discuss the questions on the staff worksheet Preventing Anemia in Women (PDF) to enhance learning and build skills!
The Meaningful Minutes series is part of the FFY 2026-2027 Nutrition Education Plan goal to enhance WIC staff assessment and counseling skills for common nutrition risks.
Time spent viewing the video and discussing the questions can be included in the hours required for annual Continuing Education for the CPAs Section 4.5: Staff Training.
For questions, please reach out to Blair Haesly.
Local agency staff should talk to their supervisor for approval before registering for training.
Refer to WIC Annual Required Trainings for staff training requirements.
Upcoming trainings
Lessons in WIC: Case studies
Description: Join us for a one-hour virtual session where we will cover real-life scenarios to help WIC CPAs recognize and manage common nutrition concerns. Content will repeat monthly with a new topic quarterly. No registration is required; join the session that fits your availability. Sessions will not be recorded.
Join link: Lessons in WIC: Case Studies
Training will be held on the third Thursday of every month from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
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Jan.- March 2026: Anemia Case Study
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April - June 2026: Childhood Obesity Case Study
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July - Sept. 2026: Common Nutrition Concerns During Pregnancy Case Study
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Oct.- Dec. 2026: Picky Eating Case Study
NOTE: If you plan to bring this training back to your team, we recommend that at least one member of your staff attend the live presentation to support a train-the-trainer approach.
Please see our Lessons in WIC: Case Studies webpage for more information.
Questions? Contact Carole Kelnhofer.
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Fetal alcohol syndrome disorder training
Register for: Understanding FASD: Strategies for Supporting Families and Raising Awareness
Presenter: PROOF Alliance, a nonprofit organization solely focused on prenatal alcohol exposure and FASD.
When: Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, from 9- 10 a.m.
This presentation will provide an understanding of both fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), how they impact brain development, ways to avoid stigma, and how to engage families in conversations to provide support. The presentation was developed for WIC and family home visiting program staff to support their work with families.
Questions: Contact Carole Kelnhofer
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Save the date: March trainings
Please save the date for a two-part training series on neurodivergence and feeding behaviors in children. We expect to announce registration in the weekly update in the next few weeks.
Session one: Friday, March 27, from 9 - 10 a.m.
Neurodivergent Feeding Behaviors: Foundational Information and Resources with Dr. Paula Rabaey
Session two: Friday, April 24, from 9 -10 a.m.
Early Childhood Mental Health: Foundational Information and Resources with Dr. Maria Kroupina
These sessions will be recorded. Please reach out to Carole Kelnhofer with questions.
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On demand trainings
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Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinar
Register for the December Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinar "Men and Miscarriage" presented by Alexander Naum. Continuing education credits available! New and existing Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars can be viewed on-demand at glbw.thinkific.com.
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The week ahead
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Mon., Dec. 22
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Tues., Dec. 23
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Wed., Dec. 24
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Thurs., Dec. 25
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Fri., Dec. 26
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9 - 10 a.m.
DBE Practice Group
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Initial participation counts available
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MN Help Desk - closes at 5 p.m.
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MN Help Desk - closed
State office - closed
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Check out upcoming trainings and meetings: Local Agency WIC Calendar
Find new job opportunities on the WIC Job Postings webpage. This week includes:
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Minnesota Department of Health, WIC Program - State WIC consultant/nutrition program consultant
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Nobles County Community Services - registered/licensed dietitian or registered nurse
Submit job postings using the WIC Job Postings survey.
Virtual film screening and discussion: The FASD Project
As a part of Birth Defects Awareness Month, MDH and Proof Alliance are hosting a virtual film screening on Wednesday, Jan. 14 from noon – 1 p.m. on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. This one-hour session also includes a facilitated group discussion following the screening.
Register in advance:
https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/280IjxA8T9O9O4mk59PcfQ
Food recall resources
The Public Health Communications Collaborative created a new resource What to Know about Food Recalls (PDF) (English only), to support staff and families in answering common questions regarding food recalls. Help families stay safe and healthy this Holiday season with this and other helpful tips found below!
Paid Leave is coming to Minnesota
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Minnesota Paid Leave will provide payments and job protections to Minnesotans when they need time off for some of life's most important moments, like welcoming a new child into their home.
New and expecting parents, including those who welcomed a child in 2025, can receive up to 12 weeks of Bonding Leave (a type of Paid Leave) within the first 12 months of welcoming a child into their home through birth, adoption, or foster placement. Medical Leave (another type of Paid Leave) may also be available for birthing parents who need time to recover from pregnancy or birth.
Read about paid leave for birth and bonding.
You can request flyers and handouts for display/distribution using this form: Paid Leave Flyer Request .
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Thursday, Dec. 25 - Christmas (state offices closed)
Thursday, Jan. 1 - New Year's Day (state offices closed)
Monday, Jan. 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day (state offices closed)
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