WIC Weekly Update - September 9, 2026

Minnesota Department of Health sent this bulletin at 09/09/2026 01:30 PM CDT

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WIC Weekly Update

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September 9, 2026

IN THIS ISSUE

Everyday Hero
Nutrition and breastfeeding
Tip of the month
Training opportunities
State and local agency career corner
RESOURCES

IMPORTANT

New version of SWIPe – install before Oct. 17

A new version of SWIPe (msi file 1.0.26110.6) is now available on FileZilla and can be downloaded from the agencygateway >> SWIPe folder. You will need a local administrator account to update SWIPe and should contact your county IT for assistance. The new version of SWIPe must be installed before the next WINNIE release, which will be installed on production on Saturday, Oct. 17.

Please note that any previous versions of SWIPe should be uninstalled before installing the new version. Having multiple versions of SWIPe installed at the same time can result in issues when using WINNIE.

Hardware information on MDH WIC website

The WIC Hardware webpage on the MDH WIC website has been updated with the following information to assist agencies with purchasing WIC hardware:

Minimum requirements and specifications for computers.
List of peripherals (signature pads, scanners, and card readers) currently used by Minnesota WIC and other SPIRIT states.

Everyday Hero

Congratulations 2026 Minnesota WIC Everyday Heroes

The Everyday Hero award recognizes and honors the great work and commitment of local WIC staff – anyone and everyone who works in WIC: clerks, competent professional authority, coordinators, receptionists, and others who support local WIC operations. Staff that are nominated exemplify the spirit of participant-centered services and strive every day to make WIC a great experience for participants. They’re able to see WIC service through the eyes of participants, ensuring that people feel valued and respected. They are role models for others in their agency.

Every two years, each region has an opportunity to select an Everyday Hero.

Here are the recipients of the 2026 Everyday Hero Awards:

Marianne Nelson, City of Bloomington Public Health - Metro Region
Amber Converse, Dodge County WIC - Southeast Region
Elaina Larson, Meeker County WIC - South Central Region
Charlene Siddens, Red Lake WIC – Northwest Region
Polly Ahrens, Renville County WIC – Southwest Region
Lori Fussy, Stearns County WIC – East Central Region

Congratulations to the recipients and all nominees. Your dedication, compassion, and hard work make a daily impact and has not gone unnoticed by your colleagues.

For a list of current and past winners refer to WIC Everyday Heroes.

Nutrition and breastfeeding

Scholarship and mentorship program – apply now

Interested in becoming an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)? Earning an IBCLC certification assists WIC staff in feeling more confident in providing breastfeeding counseling and education.

IBCLC Mentorship and Scholarship Program applications are now being accepted from local agency WIC staff. This program assists in preparing, studying, and applying for the March 2027 IBCLC exam. Participants can expect to spend two hours a month during the workday for the mentorship meetings, and an average of 2-3 hours a week on your own reading and studying. Study time may vary depending on the individual.

The mentorship program is an excellent way for staff to receive support and guidance while preparing for the exam. MDH WIC will also be offering IBCLC exam cost scholarships to individuals working in areas of the state that lack lactation support providers.

Applications close Thursday, Oct. 1

For more information: Local Agency Lactation Continuing Education

Questions? Email Rosie.Pierce-Martin

Tip of the month

Minnesota WIC Approved Product List

The state vendor team has received reports that some yogurt and fish are not being allowed at checkout.

We believe that some participants are

Trying to purchase yogurts removed from the WIC APL due to high sugar content after the allowable grams of sugar was reduced.
Selecting fish that is not on the approved list.

The UPC Codes- MN WIC APL (Approved Product List) website is the resource where staff can review the list of all WIC-allowed foods. There is an Excel spreadsheet that contains a complete APL list including new products and separate food categories. You can also find a link to submit product information for review.

To best support participants shopping for these items, please counsel participants accordingly when talking about yogurt and fish. For more information on allowed varieties, please visit the Vendor page and review the UPC Codes- MN WIC APL (Approved Product List).

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.

Upcoming trainings

Lessons in WIC: Case Studies

Join our upcoming session, Common Nutrition Concerns During Pregnancy, to sharpen your critical thinking around gestational weight gain and master key nutrition risk assessments. You will learn to identify vital health factors, determine when to refer, and practice impactful, participant-centered counseling.

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.

No registration is required. Sessions will not be recorded.

July- Sept.: Common Nutrition Concerns During Pregnancy Case Study

Oct.- Dec.: 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.