WIC Weekly Update - October 28, 2026

Minnesota Department of Health sent this bulletin at 10/28/2026 01:30 PM CDT

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WIC Weekly Update

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October 28, 2026

toddler dressed like chicken sitting by pumpkin

IN THIS ISSUE

Local agency call
New dietary risk code quick references
Nutrition and breastfeeding
Training opportunities
State and local agency career corner
HOLIDAYS
RESOURCES

IMPORTANT

New: Ask the vendor team

A recent survey asked what kinds of tools you would like to support you in educating participants about WIC foods, specifically as it relates to utilizing the vendor team.

One of the higher scoring responses was “Ask the Vendor Team”. A new “office hours” style meeting will allow you to drop in and ask any question you might have for the vendor team.

The first session will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 1 from 8 - 8:45 a.m.

Join in and ask your question. https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/2825722382146155?p=z8ufI2vS9wqWchChWu

Local agency call

October local agency call minutes

Review the WIC Local Agency Conference Call (PDF) - October 21, 2026, minutes.

New dietary risk code quick references

New dietary risk code quick reference documents have been added to the WIC Risk Criteria webpage.

Three quick reference documents are available: Infant Diet Risk Codes (PDF) Child Diet Risk Codes (PDF), Women Diet Risk Codes (PDF). These references were designed to support WIC staff in conducting nutrition assessments and identifying appropriate dietary risk codes. Use these helpful resources to support your nutrition assessments.

Reminder: All participants four months and older require a dietary risk code when certified, with all applicable dietary risk codes assigned. If after a complete nutrition assessment there are no dietary risk criteria identified, staff may then assign one of the following dietary risk codes:

428: Dietary Risk Associated with Complementary Feeding Practices (children 4 to 23 months)
401: Failure to Meet Dietary Guidelines for Americans (women and children 2 years and older)

These risk codes can only be used if there are no other dietary risk codes assigned.

Additional tip: Consider printing or saving these references to your desktop, keeping it on hand for easy access during nutrition assessments.

Nutrition and breastfeeding

Meaningful Minutes: WIC skills in 10

“Meaningful Moments - Appropriate Cup Use for Toddlers,” the next video in the training series, is now available at Meaningful Minutes - WIC Skills in 10. Take a few minutes to watch this or one of the past videos in the series! Time spent viewing the video and discussing the staff questions can be included in the hours required for the competant professional authority (CPA) Section 4.5: Staff Training annual continuing education.

Action steps:

Watch the short, on-demand video.

To view, click on the link for the video title under ‘Meaningful Minutes training videos’ or scroll to the ‘Training videos and worksheets’ section.

Discuss the questions on the staff worksheet to enhance learning and build skills!
Review the resources found on the worksheet.

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. Watch for more videos to come!

For questions, please reach out to Blair Haesly.

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

Reminder: Shopping experience training

Join us this Thursday for a live webinar training on the WIC foods and shopping experience. Your next opportunity to attend the same course will come in January and will be announced soon. Continuing education credits will be awarded. The sessions WILL NOT be recorded. No registration is required.

Presenters: Erin Kelsey from the vendor team and Mary Frances Guiney from the nutrition team.