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WIC-authorized vendors play an important role in helping to improve the health of South Carolinians.

The WIC Program provides specific nutritious foods in quantities tailored to meet the needs of each participant. Participants purchase recommended foods using eWIC benefits in grocery stores, military commissaries, and pharmacies that are approved to accept the WIC benefits.

South Carolina authorizes vendors on a continuous basis to ensure participants are able to receive services needed. There are over 600 authorized vendors who are committed to providing excellent service to our current participants at the lowest possible cost. 

The criteria for a vendor to be authorized include:

• Submission of a vendor application
• Meeting all selection criteria
• Stocking the required WIC foods and/or infant formulas (see below)
• Selling the required WIC foods and infant formulas at competitive prices

For more information about these and other requirements, policies and procedures, download the WIC Vendor Manual (pdf) or call (800) 922-4406.

SC WIC Authorized Product List (APL)

The South Carolina WIC Program Authorized Product List (APL) for foods and the APL for formulas are available for vendor/retailer review (last updated Jan. 16, 2024). If you have questions, concerns, or would like items removed from the list, please send us an email at wicfoodrequest@dhec.sc.gov.

WIC-Approved Foods

Selection Process

Each year, DHEC uses federal requirements to develop a list of foods that WIC participants can select and purchase using their eWIC benefits. 

The WIC Food Products Specifications brochure contains the criteria and guidelines used to approve WIC foods.

The WIC Food Guide is a brochure that outlines the foods authorized by the South Carolina WIC Program. However, we've updated the food list some since publication of the brochure. View our Eligible Foods page.

Important Dates

• March 1 - Deadline to submit food products for consideration. Send submissions to https://scdhec.gov/wicfoodsubmissions.
• May - DHEC conducts the food product review and evaluation
• October 1 - WIC Food Guide containing the approved food items becomes available.

Remember, Food Must Meet Requirements

• Food products must be commercially available in South Carolina for one year prior to eligibility consideration with no distribution, recall or documented health problems.
• Food products must comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
• All foods must comply with FDA Standards of Identity as explained in the Code of Federal Regulations.

EBT

Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system also known as eWIC that replaces paper checks with a card for food benefit issuance and redemption at authorized WIC stores. The benefits of eWIC includes:

• It's easier to use and more secure than paper checks
• Only one card is needed for the entire family group
• The store checkout process is faster
• Vendor staff training is reduced as WIC approved foods are identified by UPC/PLU codes
• It provides faster payment to the vendor

Learn more about eWIC for our WIC authorized vendors here.