WIC and Retail Grocery Stores

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.

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 Local Public Health.

2012 WIC Mandatory training regions are Aroostook, Hancock, and Washington Counties. WIC authorized vendors are required to send at least one representative to one of the following training sessions during 2012. Register early– Space is limited! Please respond here or download (PDF*).