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OPERATIONS OPERATIONS Goals & Objectives, FY2027 | 28

XIII. To continue to promote program relationships and communications with the WIC retail store vendor community.

A. Solicit input from and exchange information with the retail vendor community and associations, including chain store contacts, the Massachusetts Food Association, and the WIC Vendor Advisory Council.

B. Continue Vendor staff visibility throughout the retail vendor community, through ongoing networking with appropriate associations, retail stores, and assistance to local programs.

C. Maintain enhanced retail vendor training, including sessions conducted in Spanish, on the WIC Vendor Agreement, WIC Card processing, WIC approved foods, and minimum inventory requirements.

D. Ensure consistency in retail vendor training by requiring retailers to utilize all applicable vendor materials as part of their staff training protocol.

E. Collaborate with Policy, Marketing and Training to provide updates to the retailer section of the DPH WIC website.

F. Continue to collaborate with Systems to maintain and enhance the Vendor Portal which streamlines the vendor application process and allows retailers the ability to complete and submit Vendor Applications electronically.

XIV. To monitor and coordinate cost containment issues in collaboration with other program units.

A. Monitor pricing of WIC food items at WIC retail stores in collaboration with other program units.

B. Review and analyze new federal regulations and guidelines on cost containment issues.

C. Implement cost containment strategies for WIC food items and/or prescriptions in response to food cost inflation and/or budget constraints. Make changes to the WIC Food Guide, as necessary. Monitor implementation of cost containment strategies in other states, as needed.

D. Collaborate with Fiscal to track existing and develop new cost management strategies by utilizing information from the food cost projection system and related systems.

E. Continue collaboration with other states in the New England & Tribal Organization (NEATO) regarding Abbott Laboratories infant formula rebate contract. Assist Fiscal and Nutrition in implementing and monitoring the contract.

F. Collaborate with other program units on revisions to approved food items, food prescriptions, and new types of formula, can sizes, and other food cost initiatives.

G. Provide training and other required activities to ensure implementation of approved revisions.