MO WIC Scoop

May 2026

WIC state agency staff changes

Brandi Turnbough, former WIC retailer manager, is no longer with the MO WIC program. We thank Brandi for her years of leadership and wish her well in her new endeavors. Erin Marberry, WIC assistant bureau chief, will serve as acting WIC retailer manager until a new manager is hired. She can be reached at Erin.Marberry@health.mo.gov.

Below is a list of retailer topic areas and contacts:

The WIC Approved Food Guide is a quick reference organized by category and size. Request a copy by emailing MOWICVendorGroup@health.mo.gov.

Retailer information is available on the MO WIC Retailer page.

You can also reach us by email at MOWICVendorGroup@health.mo.gov or by phone at 573-751-6204.

WIC Approved Food List Changes

Reminder: Starting April 1, the Missouri WIC Approved Food List was updated to align with new federal guidelines and a formula name change.

These updates include:

  • Adding fresh herbs.
  • Removing four cereal varieties: creamy wheat farina, grits, twin grain (rice and corn) and honey oat.
  • Changing Similac Total Comfort to Similac Gentle/Total Comfort.

Remove all WIC-approved shelf tags from the shelves for the removed food items listed below:

  • 036800448643 Food Club Creamy Wheat Farina 28 oz
  • 070038592150 Best Choice Creamy Wheat Enriched Farina 28 oz
  • 075450082470 HyVee Creamy Wheat Enriched Farina 28 oz
  • 791669343064 Ralston Creamy Wheat Enriched Farina 28 oz
  • 036800285958 Food Club Honey & Oats w/Honey & Oat Cluster 14.5 oz
  • 041303001929 Essential Everyday Honey & Oat Clusters 14.5 oz
  • 036800617889 Food Club Twin Grain Crisp 12 oz
  • 041303001905 Essential Everyday Crispy Hexagons 12 oz
  • 070038342854 Best Choice Crispy Hexagons Corn & Rice 12 oz
  • 041303002124 Essential Everyday Grits Original Flavor 12 oz
  • 070038602361 Best Choice Instant Grits Original 11.85 oz

Ensure your point of sale (POS) provider has an updated Approved Product List (APL) downloaded to the registers.

Map your fresh herbs to the assigned PLUs.

Dried herbs, spices, pastes, seeds and plants are not WIC-approved.

Approved Product List (APL)

In addition to the food list changes, several items have been added to the APL. Please ensure that your store has an updated APL and that any items carried that are listed below have a WIC-approved shelf tag:

  • 052200200629 Beech-Nut Naturals Tropical Adventure Variety 32 oz
  • 014500001016 Birds Eye FRZ Chopped Spinach 10.8 oz
  • 014500001566 Birds Eye FRZ Deluxe California Blend 32 oz
  • 014500011909 Birds Eye FRZ Mediterranean Blend 10.8 oz
  • 014500006660 Birds Eye FRZ Normandy Blend 10.8 oz
  • 014500011824 Birds Eye FRZ Sweet Potatoes 10 oz
  • 014500012845 Birds Eye FRZ Tuscan Blend 10 oz
  • 853602002732 Columbia Fruit FRZ Blueberries 40 oz
  • 853602002756 Columbia Fruit FRZ Cherry Berry Blend 40 oz
  • 853602002770 Columbia Fruit FRZ Columbia Star Blackberries 40 oz
  • 853602002831 Columbia Fruit FRZ Red White & Blue Mix 40 oz
  • 853602002749 Columbia Fruit FRZ Three Berry Blend 40 oz
  • 853602002824 Columbia Fruit FRZ Whole Strawberries 40 oz
  • 853602002794 Columbia Fruit FRZ Wild Blueberries 40 oz
  • 051933315389 Fairhill Farms FRZ Cauliflower Florets 12 oz
  • 051933315372 Fairhill Farms FRZ Peas & Carrots 12 oz
  • 048800035204 Flav R Pac FRZ Seasoning Blend 12 oz
  • 036800017566 Food Club Bran Flakes 18 oz
  • 015000000363 Gerber Apple Cherry Berry 4 oz
  • 015000000349 Gerber Banana Avocado Spinach 4 oz
  • 015000000356 Gerber Butternut Squash Orange 4 oz
  • 015000687748 Gerber Multigrain Cereal 16 oz
  • 015000687731 Gerber Multigrain Cereal 8 oz
  • 015000687717 Gerber Oatmeal Cereal 16 oz
  • 015000687724 Gerber Oatmeal Cereal 8 oz
  • 015000687700 Gerber Rice Cereal 8 oz
  • 194346469741 Great Value FRZ Diced Mirepoix Mix 10 oz
  • 194346197620 Great Value Quick Oats Gluten Free 18 oz
  • 194346525621 Great Value Toasted Os 18 oz
  • 075450227567 HyVee Dark Red Kidney Beans 15.5 oz
  • 075450227574 HyVee Light Red Kidney Beans 15.5 oz
  • 075450808087 HyVee Old Fashioned Oats 18 oz
  • 075450012859 HyVee Red Beans 15.5 oz
  • 011110150516 Kroger 100% Whole Wheat Tortillas 16 oz
  • 011110122094 Kroger Black Beans No Salt Added 15.25 oz
  • 011110873781 Kroger Dark Red Kidney Beans No Salt Added 15.5 oz
  • 011110161048 Kroger FRZ Blueberries 16 oz
  • 011110153807 Kroger FRZ Steamable Edamame 12 oz
  • 011110847362 Kroger Instant Brown Rice 14 oz
  • 011110766540 Kroger Old Fashioned Oats 18 oz
  • 011110898647 Kroger Pinto Beans 32 oz
  • 011110138996 Kroger Sardines in Water 3.75 oz
  • 011110151179 Kroger Shredded Colby Jack 32 oz
  • 011110063304 Kroger Shredded Medium Cheddar 16 oz
  • 011110065445 Kroger Shredded Whole Milk Mozzarella 32 oz
  • 011110022783 Kroger Toasted Oats 20 oz
  • 071891003012 Mrs Grimes Black Beans 15 oz
  • 071891476076 Mrs Grimes Black Beans No Salt Added 15 oz
  • 071891401412 Mrs Grimes Dark Red Kidney Beans No Salt Add 15.5 oz
  • 071891011024 Mrs Grimes Red Beans 15.5 oz
  • 018184000815 Nature Blessed FRZ Dark Sweet Cherries 40 oz
  • 018184302018 Nature Blessed FRZ Sliced Strawberries 40 oz
  • 075450818000 Nothing But The Truth FRZ Organic Sweet Corn 12 oz
  • 075450817980 Nothing But The Truth FZ Organic Mix Vegetable 12 oz
  • 853687004355 Pitaya FRZ Organic Avocado Pieces 12 oz
  • 011110160249 Private Selection FRZ Cherry Berry Medley 48 oz
  • 649509000205 Rica Chick Peas 15 oz
  • 649509000151 Rica Chunk Light Tuna in Water 5 oz
  • 649509000137 Rica Solid Light Tuna in Water 5 oz
  • 041318211498 Schnucks 100% Peanuts Creamy Peanut Butter 16 oz
  • 011110160348 Simple Truth Organic FRZ Sliced Strawberries 10 oz
  • 011110016270 Simple Truth Organic FRZ Steamable Green Beans 12 oz
  • 011110123190 Smart Way Creamy Peanut Butter 16 oz
  • 638882000070 Stahlbush Island Farms FRZ Blueberries 10 oz
  • 638882000582 Stahlbush Island Farms FRZ Cranberries 10 oz
  • 080000522702 StarKist Chunk Light Tuna In Water 3 Pack 15 oz
  • 075450818796 Thats Smart 1% Milk Half Gallon
  • 075450818758 Thats Smart 2% Milk Gallon
  • 075450818826 Thats Smart 2% Milk Half Gallon
  • 075450818789 Thats Smart Dozen Eggs Large White Grade A
  • 075450818772 Thats Smart Skim Milk Gallon
  • 075450818819 Thats Smart Skim Milk Half Gallon
  • 075450818741 Thats Smart Whole Milk Gallon
  • 075450818802 Thats Smart Whole Milk Half Gallon

New Missouri APL dashboard

We have exciting news to share! The Missouri APL is now available as a dashboard on the WIC retailer website. Moving the APL to this real-time interactive dashboard will benefit authorized Missouri WIC retailers in multiple ways:

  • Provides the most up-to-date information rather than a manually updated Excel spreadsheet.
  • Makes sharing and collaboration easier. Missouri WIC can more easily share APL information with retailers, manufacturers, point-of-sale providers and other WIC stakeholders.
  • Provides the same information and functionality as the Excel version.

Retailer questions or concerns

The Missouri WIC program reminds retailers to contact the state agency with any questions or concerns rather than the local agency. Authorized Missouri WIC retailers are subject to specific federal and state requirements. The state agency is equipped to provide guidance that complies with federal and state requirements as well as the WIC Retailer Agreement. We are happy to assist retailers with any questions or concerns to ensure continued compliance.

Compliance monitoring

Compliance monitoring for FFY 26 continues. 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:

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

Retaining WIC cards is a state violation.

Annual Retailer Training

The Missouri WIC program is required to provide annual retailer training. This year, training will be delivered via an electronic newsletter and quiz. The newsletter will be emailed to retailers in June. All retailers must review the newsletter and complete the quiz by August 15, 2026, to allow time for your training completion to be processed before the agreement deadline.

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.

Ongoing reminders and helpful links

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.