For immediate release:

August 12, 2003

 

Contact:

Victoria Fehrmann Warren

573-751-6204

 

Vendors interested in participating in WIC programs may now apply

 

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Nutrition Services and WIC, is accepting applications from full-service retail grocery stores and pharmacies that wish to become authorized retail vendors for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).  The applications are for a WIC Vendor Authorization Contract for the contract period October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2006.

 

Full-service retail grocery stores and pharmacies must complete an application packet and meet the program selection criteria to be authorized to participate in the WIC program.  Send requests for a WIC vendor authorization application packet to the Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Nutrition Services and WIC, P. O. Box 570, Jefferson City, Missouri, 65102 or contact the Bureau at 573-751-6204 or 1-800-392-8209. Authorization packets may also be downloaded from the Internet at http://www.dhss.state.mo.us/wic/stores.htm.

 

Applications are accepted throughout the year for contract authorization in the WIC program.  Applications received this summer and fall will be reviewed for the October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2006 contract.  All complete applications received by August 22, 2003 will be reviewed for the October 1 contract.  Applications received after August 22, 2003 will be reviewed, but the contract may start until after October 1.

 

Additional information, including the application forms and the vendor selection criteria, may be accessed at http://www.dhss.state.mo.us/wic/index.html. Questions regarding the WIC program or the contracting process may also be directed to the Bureau of Nutrition Services and WIC at 1-800-392-8209. 

 

 

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