The Arkansas WIC Program and grocery stores (WIC vendors) partner to provide an effective and convenient way for WIC participants to receive WIC foods. The program provides participants with WIC Food for specific quantities and types of foods and Cash Value Benefits (CVBs) for fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. The eWIC card contain food prescriptions designed to meet nutritional needs, promote healthy birth outcomes, and promote optimal growth and development of children. Authorized WIC vendors accept these checks and CVBs in exchange for the WIC Approved Items.
WIC vendors process the eWIC card and CVBs in accordance with the Arkansas WIC Program Vendor Handbook and Participant Agreement Information.
To become a WIC vendor, a grocery store must be authorized to accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and qualify as a Full Service Grocery Store. Annual sales of WIC food items cannot be more than 50% of the store’s total food sales, and training is done prior to authorization to ensure WIC transactions are handled appropriately. Vendors are also routinely monitored and subject to undercover compliance investigations to verify compliance with the program.
The WIC Vendor Management Office can be reached by contacting the State WIC Office at 501-661-2508 or 1-800-462-0599. E-mail can be sent to ADHWICVENDOR@arkansas.gov. Vendor Applications are accepted on an on-going basis.
WIC offers a variety of foods to help families make smart choices. WIC offers fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk, yogurt, soy-based beverages and baby food, in addition to cereal, eggs, juice, peanut butter and beans.
Arkansas WIC provides food for:
- Pregnant women
- Breastfeeding/Postpartum Women
- Infants
- Children
How to Apply to be an Arkansas WIC Vendor:
- Obtain an application from the State WIC Office at ADHWICVENDOR@arkansas.gov or call (501) 661-2508.
- An application and shelf price survey will be sent to the applicant.
- The applicant reviews the terms and conditions for becoming an Arkansas WIC Vendor. A copy of the Vendor Participation Agreement and Handbook is available in the Downloads section below.
- The applicant submits the completed application and shelf price survey for review.
- The WIC Program reviews the information provided for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with the established selection criteria listed in the Vendor Participation Agreement.
- If the applicant meets the selection criteria, an on-site authorization, certification, and new vendor training are scheduled.
- If approved, the WIC Program signs the Vendor Participation Agreement assigns a four (4) digit Vendor Identification Number and provides shelf tags identifying WIC Approved Foods, as well as food lists, and an “Authorized WIC Vendor” sign(s), which must be posted in a prominent place on the front window or door of the store.
IMPORTANT
The vendor must notify the Arkansas WIC Program in writing fifteen (15) days in advance of any plans to change the store name, cease operation, change ownership, or change location of the store. The Vendor Participation Agreement is terminated upon change of ownership, change in location (unless in the same township), or cessation of operation for more than 90 days. No portion of the agreement may be assigned.
Full-Service Grocery Store Requirements
To meet the WIC Program definition of a full-service grocery store in Arkansas, a retail store must stock the following types and quantities of products in each food group. For canned, fresh, and frozen fruits and vegetables a ” case” is considered to be a minimum of twelve (12) units (cans or packages).
- Fresh Vegetables: Minimum of ten (10) pounds each of at least four (4) varieties of vegetables listed. Choices may include broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn on the cob, collard greens, eggplant, green beans, lettuce, okra, onions, peppers, squash, tomatoes, tomatillos, turnips, zucchini, yams/potatoes, and bagged salad.
- Fresh Fruits: Minimum of ten (10) pounds each of at least four (4) of the following: apples, avocados, bananas, blueberries, cherries, citrus fruits, mangos, nectarines, pears, peaches, pineapples, plums, grapes, strawberries, and melons.
- Frozen Vegetables: Minimum of two (2) cases of each vegetable, minimum of three (3) varieties of the following: mixed vegetables, brussel sprouts, corn, corn on the cob, collard greens, peas, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, black-eyed peas, onions, potatoes, green beans, and spinach.
- Frozen Fruits: Minimum of two (2) cases of each fruit, a minimum of three (3) varieties of the following: strawberries, peaches, blueberries, cherries, mixed fruit, blackberries, raspberries, pineapple, mango, and mixed berries.
- Fresh and Frozen Meats and Poultry: 50% of the following requirements for meats must be fresh, not frozen. Minimum of thirty (30) pounds per variety of meat and poultry. Beef, pork, and poultry must be stocked with at least a minimum of three (3) types of cuts (i.e. chops, steaks, hamburger, roasts, bacon, sausage, whole chicken, leg quarters, thighs, wings, etc.). Kosher or halal stores may stock 30 pounds of lamb/mutton in lieu of pork or increase the number of pounds of beef and chicken they carry. Deli-style meats, prepackaged luncheon meats, or meats cut in the deli do not apply to this requirement.
- Canned Fruits: Minimum of two (2) cases of each fruit, a minimum of three (3) varieties of the following: cherries, peaches, pears, pineapple, mango, mixed fruit and fruit cocktail.
- Canned Vegetables: Minimum of two (2) cases of each vegetable, minimum of three (3) varieties of the following: mixed vegetables, peas, green beans, corn, beets, carrots, collard greens, spinach, tomatoes or other beans.
- Canned Fish: Minimum of twenty-four (24) cans in any combination of mackerel, salmon, sardines, and tuna.
- Breadstuffs: Minimum of twenty (20) loaves of bread and/or packages of rolls or buns in at least two (2) varieties and/or brands.
- Quantities of dairy products, cheese, cereals, juices, infant formula, and other WIC-approved foods must meet the Minimum Stock Requirement (MSR) in the Vendor Participation Agreement and Handbook.
Downloads
- Authorized Vendor List
- Vendor Participation Agreement and Handbook (07-16-2024 to 07-15-2027B)
- Arkansas WIC Approved Food List – English
- Arkansas WIC Approved Food List – Spanish
- Approved Infant Formula Sources Manufacturers
- Vendor Application Form
- Vendor Price Survey (Dec. 2018)
- Complaint Form – English
- Complaint Form – Spanish
- Approved Product List (APL File)