WIC and Retail Grocery Stores

Little girl with grocery cart

Maine WIC authorizes hundreds of stores around the state to accept WIC checks for specified food items. Not every store qualifies to sell WIC products, but most grocery stores and many independent stores are authorized.

Any store owner may apply for WIC authorization. There is no charge for application or re-authorization. WIC-authorized stores must meet certain requirements for stocking products that can be bought with WIC checks, and must also charge competitive prices and have a good business reputation. Stores must apply for re-authorization every three years.

Maine WIC provides training for store owners and staff in working with WIC recipients and handling WIC checks. Our online training manual includes a printable certificate for cashiers who have learned the information. In-person vendor training is required once every three years. Request training using this form.

Why WIC?

WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children up to 5 years of age. Our mission is to provide healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, and referrals to health and social service programs for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have recently had a baby and their children. Though there are financial eligibility factors for program participation, our focus is on medical or nutritional need.

The WIC program helps to prevent health problems and to improve the health status of participants through better nutrition. WIC does not provide all of the food women and children need, but designs specific food benefits to include key nutrients needed during growth and development.

WIC is federally funded and regulated under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Maine Department of Health & Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention houses the Maine WIC Program in the Division of Family Health.

Help Make Our Program Better

WIC vendors play an important role assisting clients to obtain appropriate WIC foods. We value your input and suggestions.