Vendors – Grocers and Farmers

Maine WIC Approved Product List (APL) Update
Effective November 2, 2026

Maine WIC will update the Approved Product List (APL) effective Monday, November 2, 2026.

These updates support Maine WIC's commitment to:

• Maintaining year-round access to WIC benefits
• Meeting federal requirements
• Supporting the long-term sustainability of the WIC Program

Products Being Removed
As part of this update, certain products will no longer be approved for purchase with WIC benefits.

•    Breakfast Cereal: Remove all non-whole-grain cereals
•    Cheese: Remove all brand-name cheese; store-brand cheese remains approved
•    Eggs: Remove free-range, free-running, and cage-free varieties
•    Yogurt: Only 32 oz tubs will remain approved
•    Legumes: Remove organic products
•    Milk (Whole): Remove organic products
•    Milk (Low-fat/Fat-free): Remove organic products
•    Fish: Remove line-caught varieties
 

What Vendors Need to Do

1. Review Your Inventory
An Excel file listing the products scheduled for removal is available for vendors.
Review the list against your current inventory and identify any affected products.

2. Update Shelf Labels and Signage
Update shelf labels, signs, and other store information as needed to reflect the revised APL.

3. Update Your POS/ECR System
Make sure your ECR/POS system downloads the latest APL file so approved and non-approved products are identified correctly.
Continue to confirm that your system is receiving the latest APL as part of your regular process.

Store Action Checklist

☐ APL/POS Update: Confirm your ECR/POS system has downloaded the latest APL.
☐ Inventory: Review the products scheduled for removal.
☐ Shelf Tags: Update shelf tags and signage as needed.
☐ Staff Training: Brief cashiers and other store staff about the changes before November 2.
☐ Approved Alternatives: Make sure approved alternatives are available and easy for customers to find.

Checkout Guidance
Please encourage WIC customers to use the WICShopper app to check whether an item is WIC-approved before shopping.

If a WIC transaction is declined:

• Try processing the items in smaller groups.
• Check the beginning balance, mid-transaction balance, and final balance shown on the receipt.
• Use the receipt information to help the customer understand what benefits remain available.

Helpful Tips for Stores
Prepare staff before November 2.
Share the changes with cashiers and other staff during shift huddles.

Keep approved alternatives available.
Customers may need to choose different products. In particular, make sure store-brand cheese, 32 oz yogurt tubs, and whole-grain cereals are stocked and easy to find.

Make Vendor Team contact information available.
Post the Maine WIC Vendor Team contact information at the customer service desk or front end so staff know where to direct questions.

Be patient during the first few weeks.
Everyone is adjusting to the changes, and some WIC transactions may take a little longer while customers and store staff become familiar with the updated APL.

More APL Updates May Follow
This is the first phase of the APL updates.
If additional products are removed in the future, Maine WIC will provide additional communication and an Excel file listing the affected products.

Questions or Shelf Tag Requests?

Contact the Maine WIC Vendor Team:

Phone: (207) 287-3991
Email: WICVendor@maine.gov

Thank you for your continued partnership and for the important role you play in helping Maine WIC families have a smooth shopping experience and reliable access to WIC foods.

Thank You, MFFM! 🍎🥕🍓

We’re excited to share some wonderful news! The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets (MFFM) has provided $30,000 to support Maine WIC families in accessing more fresh fruits and vegetables this season.

These funds will be spread across Maine and support participants through our 67 WIC clinic locations statewide. This generous contribution helps strengthen access to healthy, locally grown foods and gives Maine WIC families even more opportunities to shop at farmers’ markets.

Maine WIC participants can redeem their FMNP Cash Value Benefits (CVBs) with 91 authorized WIC farmers at 72 farmers’ markets across Maine. 🌽🍅🫐

A huge THANK YOU to MFFM for supporting Maine WIC families and Maine farmers! This partnership helps bring fresh, local fruits and vegetables to families throughout our state. 💚

System Maintenance Notification

Hello WIC Vendors,

Maine WIC’s EBT Vendor, Solutran/Optum, will be performing system maintenance on Wednesday evening, July22, from 11:00 PM to 3:00 AM the following morning. There may be brief service interruptions during that window, but otherwise services should not be impacted.

Farmers:
Please log in to the S3ML app first thing the following morning to confirm that you have access and that everything is functioning properly.

Important Notice – Re-Adding Yogurt to the WIC Approved Product List (APL)

Dear WIC Vendor / Store Manager,

Please be advised that, effective July 13, 2026, Maine WIC is officially re-adding yogurt to the Approved Product List (APL).

Items in green font in the spreadsheet will become WIC‑eligible.

Store Action Required
• UPC Update: Please ensure your Electronic Cash Register (ECR) system downloads the latest APL file.
• Approved Items: Only yogurts that meet current federal criteria, including sugar limits and vitamin D requirements, will scan as WIC‑approved.
• Inventory & Shelf Tags: Verify that store inventory aligns with the updated Maine WIC APL and that all related shelf tags are placed accurately.

Thank you for your continued partnership in serving Maine WIC families.
• For questions about the APL file update in your ECR system, please contact your POS provider directly.
• For questions about product eligibility, please email SubmitUPCWIC@maine.gov or visit our ME WIC APL page.

Download the updated Yogurt Spreadsheet: Yogurt List – July 2026