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I. FOOD DELIVERY CHECKLIST e. Peer groups are based on the following: ☐ WIC sales volume ☐ Gross food sales ☐ Number of cash registers ☐ Square footage ☒ Type of Store ☒ Location of store ☒ Local agency service area

☐ City, county, or regional divisions

☐ Urban, suburban, rural, island

☐ ZIP codes

☒ Other (specify): Location of corporate headquarters, number of states served by chain.

f. Has the State agency received approval for an exemption from the requirement to use geography as one of the criteria for developing the peer groups? ☐ Yes - date of most recent FNS approval: Click or tap here to enter text. ☒ No

g. The State agency assesses the effectiveness of its peer group system and competitive price criteria to enhance system performance: ☒ Annually ☐ Biennially ☐ Every three years ☐ Other (specify): N/A

h. How does the State agency assess the effectiveness of its peer group system and competitive price criteria? For applicants, a food basket analysis utilizing the statewide average of the four most common WIC food packages plus a 15% inflation factor – based on the vendor price survey – is used to determine if an applicant is competitive within the specified vendor classification. Food basket analysis is then conducted using redemption data at reauthorization for all vendors..

i. Provide date of most recent FNS peer group assessment of effectiveness per 7 CFR 246.12(g)(4)(ii)(C): 7/10/2020.

ii. Using the Vendor Peer Groups Chart (see Attachment 1), describe the peer groupings that the State agency plans to use during the upcoming fiscal year (e.g., supermarkets, medium and small grocery stores, convenience stores). Mass Merchandisers, National Grocery Chains, Regional Grocery Chains, Local Grocery Chains, Rural Independent Grocers, Isolated Independent Grocers.

15 February 2024