Vendors may apply through month of January

The Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that grocery stores and pharmacies can apply through the month of January to participate in the state’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

Vendors must meet certain criteria to participate. WIC authorized grocery stores are required to maintain a minimum inventory of healthy foods that includes fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grain bread, whole grain cereal, low-fat milk, eggs, infant cereal and formula, and other nutritious staples for moms, children and babies. Pharmacies can also participate but are only authorized to sell formula.

Information needed to apply for participation in the WIC program is available on the DPH website at www.ct.gov/dph/wic. Click on the Retailers link on the left hand side menu. The website provides information on the application process and criteria for eligibility. Applications are due by February 1, 2017.

The WIC Program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered in Connecticut by DPH, providing benefits to over 50,000 people each month. The WIC mission is to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health care and social services.

For more information on the DPH WIC Program, please visit www.ct.gov/dph/wic or call (860) 509-8084.