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For immediate release: September 29, 2005 (05-121)
Contacts:
Susan Evans,
WIC Program 360-236-3636
Deanna
Whitman, Communications Office, Department of Health 360-236-4022
WIC announces open application period for Washington grocers
OLYMPIA ¾ Changes in federal regulations have led to a new process in our state for grocers who want to participate in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program. Grocery stores must meet specific criteria and apply during the enrollment period, October 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006. The changes are among several initiatives intended to cut costs, improve efficiency and reach more people.
The criteria used when authorizing grocers includes the cost of WIC-approved foods, selection and stock levels of WIC foods and store locations relative to WIC clients. “The process for becoming a WIC-authorized grocer now encourages more competitive pricing for WIC-approved food,” said Janet Charles, WIC Nutrition Program Director. “This will save the program money and may allow us to serve more families in need.”
Other WIC cost-saving initiatives include a competitive bid process for purchasing infant formula that saves more than $24 million each year and a food approval process that uses price as an important criterion.
New grocers and grocers who currently accept WIC checks must apply and be approved in order to accept WIC checks after March 31, 2006. Not all grocers applying will be offered a contract. Because of the WIC retailer selection criteria, there is no guarantee those who currently have contracts with WIC will be approved for the new contract period.
Applications received after March 31, 2006, will not be considered. To request an application, grocery store owners can call 1-800-841-1410, ext 3699. The complete Washington State WIC Nutrition Program retailer selection criteria (http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/WIC/retailers.htm) can be found on the Department of Health Web site.
Every year, families with young children and expectant mothers participating in the program purchase over $103 million of food at local grocery stores with their WIC checks. WIC provides families in need of preventive health services with healthy foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and improved access to health services. Last year the Washington State WIC Nutrition Program served 268,000 women and young children. More than 49 percent of all infants born in Washington benefit from WIC Nutrition Program Services.
More information on the Washington WIC Program is available on the Department of Health’s Web site.
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