Recent News

Media Contact:
Lisa Cox
Chief, Office of Public Information
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Lisa.Cox@health.mo.gov

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) launched the highly anticipated pilot #1 in the statewide rollout of eWIC, an electronic benefits transfer card which provides a more convenient way for WIC participants to shop for WIC foods. The eWIC technology was released on March 2, 2020 in the counties of Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Miller, Moniteau, and Osage in central Missouri. This was the first step in statewide implementation for all WIC clinics and authorized WIC retailers.

The pilot phase of eWIC will last until June, expanding on March 30 to the second pilot phase in the counties of Benton, Camden, Chariton, Dallas, Gasconade, Hickory, Laclede, Maries, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Pettis, Phelps, Pike, Pulaski, Ralls, Randolph, and Saline. Statewide rollout will occur in June and July, with full implementation completed by August 1. The new eWIC card will decrease time at the checkout, provide flexibility to purchase WIC-approved food as needed, and provide all household benefits on one card. Sue Wilman, the Nutritionist at the Cooper County Public Health Department, expressed excitement about the eWIC card. She said, “Our participants are excited because it will be a lot easier when they shop at the store.”

WIC provides services at 118 local agencies throughout Missouri and serves over 100,000 financially eligible women, infants, and children under age five. These families shop at over 600 authorized WIC retailers throughout Missouri. Missouri WIC offers participant-centered nutrition education, supplemental food, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care. WIC is one of the most successful, cost-effective, and important nutrition intervention programs in the country.

For more information about WIC, visit wic.mo.gov or call 1-800-TEL-LINK (1-800-835-5465).

Attached: Picture of participant, Chloe West, and her son, Sven Kenney, receiving her first eWIC card.