WIC Grocery Stores

Authorized WIC retailers are the backbone that help ensure access to WIC foods for Montana families. Participants use their benefits at authorized retail grocery stores to purchase specific, nutritious food items.  Stores authorized to accept WIC benefits typically have a “We Accept WIC” decal on the door. To find participating stores, check the WIC program's website or contact your local WIC office. You can also use the WICShopper app or ask store clerks if they accept WIC.

Montana WIC authorizes a variety of retailers, including large supermarkets, medium-sized grocers, and many small stores. If you are interested in applying to be a Montana WIC Retailer, please call 1-800-433-4298 or email wicvendor@mt.gov. 

Stocking requirements changed, click here to learn more.

Do you have a question for WIC staff?

Vendor Lead (406) 444-5530

eWIC inquiries, training, food lists, program integrity, general WIC questions

Vendor and Farm Direct Coordinator (406) 444-2841

Farm Direct & contract application/renewal, shelf tags, general WIC questions

Public Health Nutritionist (406) 444-2740

eWIC inquiries, UPC issues, food lists, general WIC questions

MT WIC Approved Product List (APL)
The Montana WIC APL includes all UPC/PLU codes currently authorized for purchase on the WIC Program. If you would like a copy of this list, please contact Kevin Moore at kmoore@mt.gov or call (406) 444-5530.

MT WIC PLU List
*PLU are formatted according to WIC requirements. All retailer POS systems must send the PLU in this format for the item to process correctly.

Submit Products to the APL
To submit products that are not currently on the APL that may be WIC-eligible, please complete the UPC Submission Form (first save the form to your computer before filling it out). Alternately, Montana has the free mobile application "WIC Shopper" which can also be used to submit UPC to the State WIC Office.

WIC shopper

Mapping is the process of matching UPC for fresh fruits and vegetables in your store’s Point of Sale (POS) system to Price Lookup Codes (PLU) on the Montana WIC Approved Product List (APL). It is very difficult for MT WIC to include all available UPC of seasonal produce on the APL because they change frequently. When produce items that have a UPC – such as bagged items – are not on the APL and are not mapped, WIC customers are unable to purchase their benefits. This creates confusion and delays at the checkout. WIC has included all PLU set by the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS) on the APL.

WHICH ITEMS SHOULD BE MAPPED? All fresh fruits and vegetables including pre-cut and packaged items by the retailer. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables do not need to be mapped. This also includes fresh produce with non-standard PLU that are not on the WIC APL. 

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAPPING AND WHO CAN HELP? Stores are responsible for making sure mapping occurs, but POS providers often provide training and technical assistance. Mapping can happen at the corporate office of a chain retailer or at the store level for independent owners. WIC staff can identify items that need to be mapped and help with other inquiries but cannot instruct on how your store’s system does mapping. 

WHAT IS FULL AND PARTIAL MAPPING? Full mapping is when a fresh produce UPC is mapped to a PLU for the same item, such as a bag of Fuji Apples mapped to the PLU for Fuji apples.  Montana WIC encourages full mapping to the best of the store’s abilities but does not require mapping within an item’s variety. For example, a bag of Naval oranges can be mapped to a bulk PLU for oranges. Partial mapping is when a fresh produce UPC is mapped to the USDA Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) designated CVB PLU 4469.  Full mapping is one-to-one, and partial mapping is many-to-one and may only be done with State approval.

Please review this FAQ and reach out to WIC staff with questions and to learn more.

Fall 2024 - Training Issue

Spring 2024 - Retailer Newsletter

Summer 2023 - Training Issue

Fall 2021 - Retailer Newsletter

Summer 2021 - Training Issue

Winter 2020 - Training Issue

 

WIC Grocery Stores

Montana WIC Program (State Administrative Office)

1625 11th Ave

PO Box 4210

Helena, MT 59620-4210

Telephone (800) 433-4298 or (406) 444-5533