FNS Documents & Resources

FNS is allowing state agencies to postpone some vendor reauthorization actions by extending expiring vendor agreements by one year.

The purpose of this policy memorandum is to provide clarification regarding the effective date of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children vendor disqualification's that result from the permanent disqualification of a vendor from the Food Stamp Program.

Attached is the Interim Guidance on WIC Vendor Cost Containment. This interim guidance is intended to assist state agencies in implementing the Vendor Cost Containment Interim Rule published in the Federal Register on Nov. 29, 2005.

We have concluded that neither the authorization of vendors to accept WIC food instruments, nor the exchange of a WIC food instrument between a certified WIC participant and an approved WIC vendor represents a "covered transaction." Therefore, WIC vendors are not subject to the certification requirement.

The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify that the WIC vendor agreement/contract does not constitute a license or property interest .

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 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. 

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.

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will discontinue the requirement for vendors to use high security seals to secure USDA Foods deliveries as of July 1, 2023.