WIC Information For WIC-Approved Vendors
JIF Peanut Butter Recall Information
Abbott Recall Information
- WIC Vendor Email 02-18-2022
- WIC Vendor Email (part 1) 02-22-2022
- WIC Vendor Email (part 2) 02-22-2022
- WIC Vendor Exchange Recall Waivers 02-22-2022
- WIC Vendor Formula Substitute Email 02-22-2023
- WIC Vendor Formula Subsitute Pictures 02-22-2023
WIC Vendors are an important part of the WIC Program, ensuring that participants buy WIC-approved foods.
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) WIC Program has moved from a paper-based method of WIC benefits issuance (checks) to a plastic EBT card method known as eWIC. The Rhode Island WIC Program began the pilot for eWIC in January 2020 and went statewide in September 2020. Currently, all WIC transactions statewide are completed using eWIC cards.
Apply to be a WIC Vendor and/or Register for Vendor Training
Log into the Vendor Portal to apply to be a WIC vendor, register for training, submit price surveys, and more.
Please contact the Rhode Island WIC Vendor Unit at 401-222-4637, 401-222-5939, 401-222-4630, or 401-222-4633, or email us at DOH.WICVendorSupport@Health.ri.gov for more information.
Vendor Bulletins
Vendor bulletins describe important changes and updates within the WIC Vendor Program and are sent to retailers when issues arise. You are responsible for reviewing the information included in the bulletins, sharing the information with staff members, and making the necessary changes to your procedures. All Vendor Bulletins are listed below.
- Above 50 Percent Vendors: No Longer Authorized
- Approved Bread Updated
- Beech-Nut Infant Cereal Packaging Update (Spanish)
- eWIC:Update
- Infant Food Contract: Beech-Nut
- Least Expensive Brands
- Prices for WIC Foods Must Be Competitive
- Store Loyalty, Courtesy Cards, and Store or Manufacturer Coupons
- Submission of Price Survey
- Vendors Offering Incentive Items to WIC Participants
- WIC Allowed Contract Formula
- WIC and SNAP Reciprocal Disqualifications
- WIC Anti Fraud Law
- WIC Secret Shopper Program
- WIC Standard, Specialty Formula & Medical Food Checks
- WIC Vendor State of Emergency - volume 1
- WIC Vendor State of Emergency - Volume 2
- WIC Vendor State of Emergency - Volume 3
- WIC Vendor State of Emergency - Volume 4
- Explain that the WIC Program requires that only approved foods can be purchased.
- Explain that the new eWIC system only permits purchases of WIC-approved items currently available to the participant.
- Offer to help the shopper find approved foods.
- If a food is not eWIC approved, but seems like it should be approved, submit a request to have the food item added to the Approved Product List using the WIC Vendor Product Approval Form or the WIC Shopper app.
- Remain calm and explain the situation politely.
- Contact the store manager for support.
- Contact WIC Vendor Support and we will discuss the situation with the WIC participant.
- Instruct them to call the phone number on the back of their card to update their PIN number
- Allow the participant another brand at the approved price.
- Contact WIC Vendor Support for assistance. (You may not change prices until approved by the WIC Program.)
- If your store accepts these for other customers, you must also accept them for WIC participants.
- WIC shoppers are entitled to any free promotions offered to other store customers (e.g., "buy one get one free").
- Do not refund money back to shopper.