WIC Link: Bridging Food Access through Online Innovation
Project Summary:
Rhode Island (RI), West Virginia (WV), and Connecticut (CT) WIC State agencies, with RI serving as the lead WIC State agency, aim to enhance and modernize the WIC participant’s shopping experience through a Planning Project. This cohort is progressing towards a successful WIC online shopping project by partnering with JPMA, FIS/CDP, and a consultant project management organization to identify a WIC-authorized vendor to participate in a curbside pickup model.
To secure a WIC-authorized vendor, RI, WV, and CT plan to conduct surveys with local, WIC-authorized vendors to understand their needs, determine capacity to transition to online shopping, and gauge their interests in pursuing a WIC online shopping project. Additionally, the project team will conduct listening sessions with project partners and subject matter experts to understand participant needs, wants, and shopping habits, and to determine possible implications of a WIC online shopping project on EBT and MIS systems. Upon completion of their project, the RI, WV, and CT cohort will have developed an implementation plan containing their budget, project timeline, contract drafts, and specific activities for the project’s next phases.
PROJECT TYPE:
Planning Project
CURRENT STAGE OF ONLINE SHOPPING:
Plan & Prepare
WIC AGENCY(S):
Rhode Island WIC, West Virginia WIC, Connecticut WIC
LEAD ORGANIZATION(S):
USDA FNS, THE CENTER GRANT FUNDED PROJECT:
Yes
PROJECT STATUS:
Active