WIC Shopping Guide

Using your WIC Card

• Set up your 4-DIGIT PIN by calling 1-833-566-5248.
• REGISTER your WIC Card in the My Minnesota WIC App.
• Benefits last for 30 DAYS then expire; unused items do not carry over to the next benefit period.
• The first few times, keep it SIMPLE and do WIC-only transactions
• Keep your WIC Card SAFE. Future benefits are added to the same card
• If your card is LOST, STOLEN, OR DAMAGED, call your WIC Clinic as soon as possible.

Before you shop

• Plan to SHOP EARLY in the benefit period.
• Choose a WIC authorized store.
  • Ask your WIC Clinic for a store near you.
  • Use the My Minnesota WIC App store locator.
• Check your food Account Balance and EXPIRATION dates using one of these ways:
  • My Minnesota WIC App.
  • Receipt from your last WIC purchase.
  • A balance inquiry printed at the store’s Customer Service Desk.
  • Call 1-833-566-5248 for your account balance.
  • The Account Balance from the WIC Clinic

While you shop

• Check for WIC-allowed brands by using this SHOPPING GUIDE or the Food Finder in your MY MINNESOTA WIC APP.
• Scan foods with the FOOD FINDER to make sure they are in your food benefits (except fresh fruits and vegetables).
• The simplest way to use your fruit and vegetable benefits is to choose UNPACKAGED PRODUCE that you bag yourself.
• Buy what you NEED.You don’t have to buy all your WIC foods at one time
• Your account balance might show these common PACKAGE SIZES:

Checking out at the register

• Let the cashier know if this is the FIRST TIME you're using your WIC Card in that store.
• Use your WIC Card FIRST, before other forms of payment.
• Coupons, store loyalty cards, and other special offers are ALLOWED.
• Rain checks and substitutions are NOT ALLOWED.
• If you enter your PIN incorrectly 4 times, your card will be LOCKED. Call 1-833-566-5248 to reset your PIN.

• If the cashier gives you a MIDPOINT RECEIPT showing what the WIC Card will pay for, review it carefully BEFORE approving your WIC purchase.
• If a food item is missing, press "NO" and check to see if that item is WIC-allowed and included in your current benefits.
• Ask the cashier to REMOVE any non-WIC items that you don't want to pay for.
• If a food item DOESN'T SCAN as WIC-allowed, there is nothing the cashier can do to allow it. YOU should share with WIC Staff:
  • PICTURES of the items you're trying to buy that were not deducted from your card.
  • ALL receipts from the transaction. (Some stores have 5 receipts!)

Minnesota WIC-allowed food brands

• Not all WIC-allowed food brands are listed in this Shopping Guide. Use your My Minnesota WIC App to check if a food is allowed and available in your food benefits.

Fruits & Vegetables

Fresh

• Any variety
• Whole, cut, bagged, or packaged
• Organic is allowed

DO NOT BUY:

• Salad mixtures with dressing, nuts, cheese, etc.
• Party trays, fruit baskets, or salad bar items
• Spices or herbs like parsley, cilantro, and basil
• Dried fruit and vegetables
• Decorative fruit and vegetables

Frozen

• Any variety
• Single or mixed plain fruits and vegetables
• Organic is allowed

DO NOT BUY:

• Items with added sugar, butter, fat, oil
• Items with added pasta, rice, sauce, or cheese

Canned

Fruits

• Any fruit or fruit mixtures packed in water or juice (no added sugar or artificial sweeteners)
• Any container type or size (except pouches)
• Unsweetened applesauce (with cinnamon allowed)
• Organic is allowed
• Stevia is allowed (natural sweetener)

Vegetables

• Any plain variety or vegetable mixture
• Any container type or size
• Tomatoes (with herbs or seasoning are allowed)
• Organic is allowed

DO NOT BUY:

Fruits

• Added sugar
• Syrup (heavy, light)
• Artificial sweeteners like Sucralose (Splenda)
• Pie filling
• Cranberry sauce
• Pouches

Vegetables

• Pasta sauce, spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, or salsa/picante sauce
• Creamed corn
• Mixtures with legumes (like lima, black, or kidney beans)
• Fermented foods (like Sauerkraut)
• With butter, fats, or oils
• Artificial sweeteners and heavy syrup
• Items with vinegar
• Pouches