MO WIC Scoop

October 2025

Retailer packets for FFY 26

The Missouri WIC program will mail retailer packets for FFY 26. The packet will have new information required for retailers to be in compliance with their WIC Retailer Agreement. The packet will have the following information:

• Store’s minimum stocking requirements.
• Retailer Manual.
• Food and Formula Reference Guide.
• Distributor, Wholesaler and Manufacturer List.
• WIC Approved Food List (effective October 1, 2025).
• WIC-approved shelf tags.

Compliance monitoring

Compliance monitoring for FFY 26 begins! Compliance monitors will complete their assigned monitoring tasks, which include conducting unannounced visits to verify compliance with the WIC Retailer Agreement. Monitors will also request formula invoices.

Lost cards at a store location

If a WIC customer leaves their WIC card in your store, please:

• Call the Missouri WIC program at 573-751-6204 to provide the card number for deactivation.
• Destroy the card immediately.
• Do not keep cards.

Retaining WIC cards is a state violation.

Food submission

The food submission period closed on October 1, 2025. All food submissions are being reviewed.

Moratorium on WIC retailer authorization

The Missouri WIC program's moratorium on new retailer authorizations has ended.

WIC Approved Food List changes

As you are aware, the Missouri WIC program implemented changes to the WIC Approved Food List, effective October 1. We would like to thank all retailers for ensuring that their point of sale (POS) systems have a current approved product list (APL) and for removing the WIC-approved shelf tags from food items that are no longer on the APL. A two-page WIC Approved Food List is available as a reference to keep at your registers.

The General Mills (GM) Rice and Corn Chex cereals should not have WIC-approved shelf tags. These cereals are approved for WIC customers assigned a specific food package.

Reauthorization

The Missouri WIC program has completed reauthorization. Thank you, retailers, for reapplying and completing the applications to ensure that your store was reauthorized by October 1.

Annual training

The 2025 Annual Retailer Training is now complete. Thank you for completing the training and submitting your certificates. We appreciate all you do for your community and for serving WIC participants.

Cashier training

The Missouri WIC program encourages retailers to train all cashiers on how to complete a balance inquiry (BI), a WIC transaction and a WIC void (benefit reversal). During a monitoring visit by the state agency, an observation buy will be conducted to determine if the cashier can complete a BI, a WIC transaction and a WIC void. If you would like instructions on how to complete a BI, a WIC transaction and a WIC void, please contact the Missouri WIC program, and we will send you instructions or schedule a Technical Assistance Training. Contact us at MOWICVendorGroup@health.mo.gov or 573-751-6204.

WIC locations map

The WIC locations map displays the locations of all authorized Missouri WIC retailers and WIC local agencies in Missouri.

WICShopper app

The WICShopper app is a great resource for retailers to download and scan food items to see if they are WIC-approved and determine where to place WIC-approved shelf tags. The WICShopper app flyer provides steps for getting started.

WIC retailer email subscription

Authorized Missouri WIC retailers can subscribe to receive WIC retailer update emails.
Manufacturers and distributors can subscribe to receive emails regarding product submission information.

Technical assistance

Missouri WIC invites interested retailers to contact us for cashier training! We will work with retailers to schedule a time to provide hands-on training at our office, regional locations or stores. Please email Angela.Easley@health.mo.gov to register for this training.

Need supplies?

If you need supplies, please complete the Missouri WIC Retailer Order Form to submit your request, and we will mail your order.

Suggestions

We would like to hear retailers' suggestions on how your Missouri WIC retailer team can improve. Please send suggestions to MOWICVendorGroup@health.mo.gov.

Reminders

• Missouri WIC requires 60 days' notice for ownership, store closings and category changes.
• Missouri WIC requires notice for retailers’ POS upgrades or changes to the POS system.
• Lost cards at your store? Call the Missouri WIC program at 573-751-6204 to provide the card number for deactivation. Destroy the card immediately.

Special formula tips for pharmacies

The Missouri WIC program would like to provide some useful tips for pharmacies conducting WIC transactions for special formulas.

• Complete a balance inquiry (BI) to ensure you ordered the correct formula and determine how many bottles or cans are needed. Do not worry about the dollar value; benefits are issued in units of measure.
• Scan the barcode on the formula can. Do not scan the box UPC as it is not on the Missouri WIC Approved Product List (APL).
• Scan each bottle individually. Do not use the multiplier key, as this can cause issues (e.g., removing benefits and locking up the system).
• Try a regular lane if the pharmacy's POS system is not working.

If you have any issues or concerns, please contact us at MOWICVendorGroup@health.mo.gov or 573-751-6204.

Contact us

Please direct questions or concerns to MOWICVendorGroup@health.mo.gov or 573-751-6204.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.