The West Virginia Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is collaborating with WIC programs in Rhode Island and Connecticut to enhance equitable access to online shopping for participants.

This initiative has been selected as one of five projects to receive funding from the Center for Nutrition and Health Impact, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. The project seeks to modernize the shopping experience for WIC participants by identifying vendors for a curbside pickup model.

Heidi Staats, Director of the Office of Nutrition Services, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration. “We are overjoyed to be a part of this initiative to meet the needs of families not just here in West Virginia, but also in Rhode Island and Connecticut,” Staats said. “We are always looking for ways to better serve those who utilize our programs and I can think of no better way to do so than by bridging gaps in food access.”

Each participating state will survey local WIC-authorized vendors to assess their interest in an online shopping project and identify needs for the transition. Project teams will also hold listening sessions with partners and experts to tailor the program to participants’ needs, wants and shopping habits.

Upon project completion, the states will develop an implementation plan with details on budget, timeline, contract drafts and subsequent phases. Rhode Island will lead the project.

For more information and project updates, visit WIC Link: Bridging Food Access through Online Innovation — WICShop+ (wicshopplus.org).