The Alaska WIC Program partners with vendors to assure that participants have access to the nutritious foods prescribed for their needs. Retail grocery stores and military commissaries that meet the vendor selection criteria and other program requirements may be authorized to accept eWIC cards.

 

WIC foods are selected because they address specific nutritional health needs and promote healthy pregnancies as well as healthy growth and development in young children. WIC benefits are issued monthly to eligible pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding mothers, infants, and children under the age of five. Nutrition education is the cornerstone of the WIC Program. The foods offered through the program are an enhancement of these nutrition education services.

 

Consistent with federal regulations, the Alaska WIC Program authorizes only a sufficient number of vendors to assure reasonable participant convenience and access to WIC foods and to ensure the lowest practicable food prices.

 

 

The Alaska WIC Program accepts new vendor applications during an annual Open Enrollment Period beginning on January 1 and ending on March 31 each year. Application information and forms may be requested from the Vendor Management Unit by email to doh.dpa.wic.vendor@alaska.gov or by calling 907-465-3100.

 

 

 

Stores authorized as WIC vendors must comply with federal and state regulations, policies and procedures. Store managers should be familiar with all information in the WIC Vendor Manual.

The Vendor Manual will be updated periodically with any new changes to the program. Updates to the Vendor Manual will be noticed on this website, and a Notice of Significant Changes will be provided to all authorized vendors when there is a change to policies or requirements that will affect vendors.

• Vendor Handbook for Grocery Stores - July 1, 2023

 

Alaska WIC Vendor Manual Appendices listed below:

• Minimum Stocking Requirements for all authorized vendors
• Appendix D - Peer Group Descriptions
• Appendix E - Penalty & Sanction Schedule
• Appendix F - Administrative Review Process
• Appendix H - Approved Infant Formula Supplier List
  
• Form 006 – Food Exemption Request Form
  

 

 

Please contact the WIC Vendor Management Unit at 907-465-3100 for more information.

 

 

The WIC Vendor Management Unit provides comprehensive training to vendors annually, as required by federal regulations. Training dates are typically offered between January and March. 

Training for store managers and cashiers is also provided during onsite monitoring visits and is available upon request to the Vendor Management Unit at 907-465-3100 or via email at doh.dpa.wic.vendor@alaska.gov.