The government's WIC program, which benefits pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under 5 years of age, has improved the nutrition quality of many families in the United States. To comply with the requirements established by the governments of each state, certified supermarkets must meet certain standards to correctly implement it.
This task (WIC Program implementation) is not always an easy task for supermarkets, who face the challenge of understanding and correctly applying the WIC food codes, which are essential to ensure that approved products are easily identifiable and accessible to beneficiaries.
In this blog, we will learn about the importance of the codes, how they work, and how a supermarket must operate to comply with this regulation and provide an excellent experience for customers using the EWIC card as a payment method.
WIC Program Food Codes
These are the established numbers that identify the products that are eligible to be purchased by the population benefiting from this program. These codes allow supermarkets to easily identify the items that can be purchased with the Ewic card. Each product has a unique and exclusive code!
PLU Code
The PLU (Price Look Up) Code is a 4 or 5-digit number, mainly used in the fresh fruit and vegetable trade. It will normally be displayed on a small label sticker on the product. The PLU Code recognizes fruits and vegetables based on the group the product belongs to, the variety, and the size. These numbers are designated by the International Federation of Produce Standards (IFPS).
Organizing the inventory, taking into account this code for the registration of the mentioned products, helps to facilitate the WIC certification process. 🚀 Know more about PLU codes here
The list of WIC-approved foods and codes in the U.S. varies by state, and checking that these are appropriate ensures that there are no errors in transactions.
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Supermarkets must comply with the WIC Program regulations, the most important thing is to know the correct handling of approved products and to be trained on the subject. Here are some key tips for your grocery store to ensure that it performs well as a WIC supplier and provides quality care to beneficiaries.
Recommendations for WIC supermarket providers
Updated list of approved foods: Remember that the foods approved by the program may vary depending on the state in which your business is located. As a grocery store owner or manager, make sure you have the most current listing and adjust your inventory. Doing so will save you from penalties.
Pro tip from Universum:
-This is the list of products with their codes: Massachusetts, New York.
-List of Eligible Foods in the state of Florida.
Implement a POS System: Acquire a POS system that is compatible with the EWIC card payment method. Remember that your POS should not only help you to organize inventory with the established codes and register your sales, but it should also integrate your operations so that you can make secure transactions, and a unique experience with your WIC customer!
Train your support staff: Keep in mind the importance of your employees knowing everything related to the WIC Program. They should know the codes and the approved products, this will help better the operation of your supermarket and avoid mistakes that may cause penalties.
Legal Standards: It's no secret how important it is to comply with state laws. That's why correctly handling WIC-approved product codes ensures that supermarkets operate smoothly and avoid penalties or fines that could result in removal from the program. Complying with these standards promotes the store with a positive image, which is sure to attract more customers.
Apply to become a WIC supplier: Remember that "official state" websites are your best allies, and keep in mind that you must check your supermarket's state, specifically. Also, you must fill out the form to apply. You can do so online, through email, or by asking for advice in the established offices.
💡Universum's Pro Tip: Here are a few web pages where you can read everything you need to know about how to become a WIC Program provider in the states where Universum has a presence.
Note: Read more on this blog How to become a WIC Program provider.
Universum helps you to improve your WIC customer service.
If you wish to integrate EWIC card payments into your Point of Sales System, we have the solution for you! Call us at 888-507-6614 and we will provide you with the best service, so you can receive this payment method, our goal is to help your business grow.
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