This policy memorandum provides clarification to WIC state agencies on the initial authorization of vendors that derive more than 50 percent of their annual food sales revenue from WIC (above-50-percent or A50 vendors) as well as information on the requirements for A50 vendors following authorization.
This information collection is mandated by section 231 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Section 231 of the HHFKA requires USDA to implement a program to recognize exemplary breastfeeding support practices at WIC local agencies and clinics.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provided USDA with $390 million, available through FY 2024, to carry out outreach, innovation, and program modernization efforts to increase participation and redemption of benefits for both the WIC program and the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.
FNS is allowing WIC agencies to waive conducting compliance investigations of a minimum of five percent of the number of vendors authorized.
FNS is allowing state agencies to postpone some vendor reauthorization actions by extending expiring vendor agreements by one year.
FNS is removing the requirement for onsite preauthorization visits and allowing these visits to be done onsite after the public health emergency and applicable state and local social distancing orders are lifted.
FNS is waiving minimum requirement for routine vendor monitoring requirements.
This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection to provide FNS and WIC state agencies with an ongoing/annual data set that can be used to assess state agencies' compliance with WIC vendor management requirements and estimate state agencies' progress in eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse.
The purpose of this memorandum is to ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the federal regulatory requirements related to the disclosure of confidential WIC vendor and participant information.
This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection for awarding local agencies for excellence in WIC breastfeeding services and support. Section 231 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, PL 111-296, requires that USDA establish a program to recognize WIC local agencies and clinics that demonstrate exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support activities.