Project Overview

In September 2005, The New York State Division of Nutrition identified state funds to provide WIC families with children the opportunity to purchase vegetables and fruits at all 4,400 NYS WIC- authorized grocery stores.

This innovative project supported the Institute of Medicine’s 2005 report, “WIC Food Packages-Time for a Change,” and the Proposed Rule issued by USDA in August 2006 that recommend including vegetables and fruits in the WIC food packages.

The purpose of this project was to: support the State’s childhood obesity prevention efforts; promote the consumption of vegetables and fruits among program participants; and evaluate the process in preparation for the permanent addition of these products to the WIC food benefits by the USDA.

From January 1, 2006 through March 31, 2006, more than 158,000 children (two to five years old) were issued three WIC checks (with a value of $5.00 each) specifying the purchase of vegetables and fruits (fresh, frozen, canned). Participants shopped with these checks through June 30, 2006.

Vegetables and Fruits Check

FreshCannedFrozen White Potatoes (all varieties) Items from the Salad Bar Nuts, including Peanuts White Potatoes Items in Plastic containers or Glass Jars White Potatoes French Fries, Hash Browns, Tater Tots, or other shaped potatoes Vegetables with sauces Vegetables mixed with pasta or rice Acceptable Foods Most Vegetables and Fruits were allowed for purchase by WIC participants. The list of “not allowed” items was small for ease of administration at the store.

The project was well received by participants, WIC local agencies and the vendor community. “I am glad to be able to sell new types of foods to WIC Participants.” WIC Vendor, New York City “I really love buying fruits with my WIC checks. Please continue this special program.” WIC Mom, Syracuse, NY

Project Report Describes: Project Development & Implementation Details: Project Outcomes Is available on the NYS DOH Website:

Would you like to see the NYS WIC Program continue to allow participants to buy vegetables and fruits with WIC Checks?

Would you buy more vegetables and fruits if it were allowed in your WIC Food Package?

Did the stores you shopped at have most of the vegetables and fruits you wanted?

Working with the Vendor Community

Vendor Management Agencies The Vendor Management Agencies (VMAs) are specialized local agencies that are contracted by New York State to perform WIC vendor (both grocery store and pharmacy) enrollment, training, and monitoring. Training was provided to the VMAs on the demonstration project through a series of conference calls. In October 2005, the VMAs began promoting the project among the vendor community during routine onsite monitoring visits and during vendor training sessions.

Vendor Management Agencies (Continued) A preliminary grocery store survey to obtain information on the status of the demonstration project throughout the six- month check redemption period was developed. This survey was distributed by the VMAs during onsite visits to stores and during vendor training sessions. Valuable information was obtained on product availability and store perceptions on the project.

Vendor Organizations One of the major challenges of implementing a project of this magnitude within such a short time frame was obtaining the cooperation and understanding of the vendor community. Project team members met with two major grocery store associations in October and November 2005, to brief them on the demonstration project prior to formally notifying the 4,400 NYS WIC authorized grocery stores.

Vendor Organizations (Continued) Given the timeframe for implementation and conflicts with the busy holiday season, vendor organizations identified serious issues with the initial project design which included a large list of “not allowed” products:  There would be insufficient time for training store personnel and making modifications to stores’ computer systems to only identify the allowable products. In response to these valid concerns, the project team made modifications to the list of allowable products so that most vegetables and fruits were allowed.

WIC Vendors All 4,400 NYS WIC grocery stores were notified about the demonstration project through an informational bulletin that was distributed in early December 2005.

Preparing For The New WIC Food Benefits

2007 & 2008 Vegetable and Fruit Projects NYS WIC was able to once again able to provide child participants the $5.00 Vegetables & Fruits checks from January – March In 2008, the benefit was expanded to include women in addition to children. NYS WIC is well-positioned to implement the vegetables & fruit benefit that is one of the new WIC food benefits approved by USDA.

New WIC Foods Whole Grains (cereal, bread, tortillas, brown rice, bulgar, oatmeal, barley). Vegetables & Fruits (fresh, frozen, canned). Baby Food (vegetables, fruits, meats). Soy Products (soy-beverages, tofu) Canned Fish Alternatives (salmon, sardines, mackerel). Canned Beans

Working With WIC Vendors Through one of the vendor management agencies (MHRA) NYS WIC sponsored a project in 2007 to increase the availability of low-fat milk in small stores. NYS WIC is currently in the process of receiving information from food companies on the new foods.  New foods will be selected and stocking requirements developed for WIC vendors.  Based on federal regulations WIC Vendors will be required to stock at least one whole grain cereal and at least two different varieties of fruits and two different varieties of vegetables.  Current stocking requirements for milk may be modified to include specific quantities of low-fat milk.

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