Summer 2022 Quarterly Call Minutes

Formula Supply Chain Issues

  • Notices were sent to vendors on 06/01/22, 06/10/22, 07/11/22 with updates and guidance.
    • Products added can be found on the WIC Vendor Website and currently include:
  • Enfamil Infant Powder 29.4 oz
  • Enfamil NeuroPro Infant Powder-2 refill bags 31.4 oz
  • Enfamil NeuroPro Infant Powder 28.3 oz
  • Enfamil NeuroPro Infant RTU 32 oz
  • Enfamil Gentlease Powder 27.7 oz
  • Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Powder-2 refill bags 30.4 oz
  • Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Powder 27.4 oz
  • Enfamil ProSobee Powder 20.9 oz
  • Enfamil AR Powder-2 refill bags 30.4 oz
  • Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease RTU 32 oz
  • Nutramigen Concentrate 13 oz
  • Nutramigen RTU 32 oz
  • Illinois WIC continues to recommend that vendors.
    • Limit Purchase quantities of small size powders to 2 - 3 cans per customer.
  • This is for all customers (WIC and non-WIC).
  • Through August 2022, Illinois WIC will not sanction vendors who are not able to maintain minimum stock of infant formula at all times, as we understand that it is hard to maintain the minimum stocking quantities while supply is limited. This may be extended but we do not have any information on this as of this call. If it is extended beyond this month, we will send out a communication memo and will post it to our website.

Authorized Food List & Minimum Supply Changes

  • Minimum Stocking Requirement changes will begin to be enforced with the new contract period beginning October 1, 2022.
    • Some of the significant changes to these requirements that were provided in the annual training are as follows:
  • All grocery and grocery with pharmacy vendors must now maintain as part of the fruit and vegetable minimum stock at least 2 types of fresh fruit and at least 2 types of fresh vegetables. The remaining dollars in fresh produce can be maintained with frozen and canned, but there IS a requirement for fresh produce at all WIC Authorized stores effective 10/01/2022.
  • Infant Meats are no longer a requirement of minimum stock. This is still an item that is prescribed to WIC participants and is WIC eligible, but stores are not required to maintain minimum stock of infant meats at all times.
  • Juice - Grocery and grocery with pharmacy vendors must now maintain at least 2 types of 48oz or 12oz frozen juice and 2 types of 64 oz juice at all times.
  • You can pull a copy of the Minimum Stocking Requirement from our website.
  • Cashier Training - we are currently working with IRMA to prepare a cashier training. This should be available for your use sometime mid fall.
    • This will be intended for front end staff and is a high level training on how WIC transactions should be conducted.
    • This will NOT replace any trainings provided by your POS provider or Solutran on how to complete a transaction specific to the equipment you are using, but we hope will help new staff in your stores learn how WIC transactions work. It can also be used as a quick refresher training anytime throughout the year.
    • There will be no requirement for this to be completed, but it is intended to be a tool for you to have access to better serv WIC clients.

Annual Training Requirement

  • Most of our grocery vendors and pharmacy vendors have completed the annual training requirement for 2022 and we are working on getting the renewal letters sent out to owners and corporate offices. These will all be sent out via email to the owner contact for each entity by the end of August.
  • If you do not get the reauthorization letter by the beginning of September, please reach out to us to confirm that we have the correct email address for your entity.

Communications

  • Any changes in contact information, store ownership, store status (sold, closed, major changes in hours) should be communicated to IL WIC Vendor Unit immediately.
  • Failure to provide us with an accurate email address for the store may result in missing important communications from IL WIC.
  • Please check emails regularly
    • Failure to read an email or receive an email does not change the date a notice goes into effect, and if you fail to respond to communications as appropriate, you may risk jeopardizing authorization.

Q & A

Open for questions from vendors on call

  • No formula for past 3 months with AWG - can we purchase larger sizes?

  • We have many participants who do not have cell phones and who do not know what items are WIC eligible how can we help them?

    • Refer these participants back to their WIC Agency for further education and to get a copy of the Authorized Foods and their Family Shopping List.
    • We also recommend that participants take photos of items that do not go through as WIC eligible when they expected them to, so we can specifically educate them correctly.

  • What is the renewal letter for?

    • WIC Vendor Contracts currently expire 09/30/2022. The reauthorization letters will be sent out to renew the WIC Vendor contract and authorize your store(s) as a WIC Vendor from 10/01/2022 - 09/30/2023.

  • What is the renewal process?

    • Stores must have completed an annual training or an initial training in 2022 and must be in good standing. If both of these criteria are met, you should expect to receive a reauthorization letter by the end of August 2022.