The USDA’s WIC program served 6.9 million low-income, nutritionally-at-risk women and young children in fiscal year 2018. Participants receive benefits for specific foods, typically redeemable at various food retailers. States can authorize different types of stores, including “above-50-percent” (A50) stores, which derive over half their sales from WIC transactions and cater primarily to WIC customers.
In California, A50 stores redeemed one-third of WIC benefits in 2012 and are strategically located near WIC clinics. Research from UC Davis simulated the impact of removing A50 stores, finding that many participants would have to travel farther to shop, with 44% experiencing increased travel by 1 mile or more. Furthermore, the absence of A50 stores led to higher food costs—1.2 to 1.9% more expensive—especially as some transactions shifted to smaller stores with prices significantly above the statewide average.
