Walmart has recently introduced online shopping options for participants in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition program in Massachusetts and Washington state. This initiative was announced separately by the health departments of both states. In Massachusetts, WIC participants can now purchase WIC-approved foods online from 48 Walmart stores across the state for in-store pickup or delivery. This program serves over 125,000 residents in Massachusetts annually. Similarly, in Washington state, WIC participants can place online orders from 67 Walmart stores. Washington has approximately 205,000 WIC participants, and the pilot project is scheduled to run through the end of 2025 with the intention of expanding online ordering to other retailers after an evaluation period.
Both Massachusetts and Washington WIC shoppers can utilize Walmart’s app and website to place their orders. This move by Walmart aims to provide a seamless shopping experience for customers, whether it’s in-store, online, or through pickup and delivery services. The Vice President of Baby Merchandising at Walmart, Ryland Allen, highlighted the importance of increasing access to healthy foods through these multi-channel capabilities. Public Health Commissioner for Massachusetts, Robbie Goldstein, emphasized that online ordering can help address challenges like limited mobility, lack of transportation, language barriers, and time constraints faced by WIC shoppers.
These online shopping options for WIC participants stem from a pilot program initiated by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service to modernize the WIC program by allowing e-commerce orders. This initiative is in line with the agency’s pilot and subsequent rollout of SNAP online purchasing. Apart from Massachusetts and Washington, nine other states have also signed up for the WIC pilot program. As part of this initiative, Hy-Vee is offering online shopping services to WIC participants in Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska. Additionally, Buche Foods in the Midwest is also participating in the pilot program.
Overall, the introduction of online shopping for WIC participants at Walmart stores in Massachusetts and Washington state is a step towards modernizing and improving access to healthy foods for individuals in need. This initiative not only aligns with the USDA’s efforts to enhance e-commerce options for nutrition programs but also addresses various challenges faced by WIC participants. Walmart’s commitment to providing a seamless shopping experience through various channels showcases their dedication to catering to the diverse needs of their customers.
