Alabama WIC Program: Produce Mapping (Linking) Information

The Alabama WIC Program is requiring retailers to map/link produce to an Alabama WIC-approved Price Look-Up (PLU) code. This means that any WIC-approved fresh fruit or vegetable without an International Federation of Produce Standards (IFPS)-approved PLU must be mapped/linked to an IFPS-approved PLU.

Examples include:

• Produce with a UPC bar code (e.g. prepackaged loose fruits such as blueberries or strawberries)
• A store-assigned non-IFPS PLU (e.g. cut pineapple or cantaloupe processed and packaged at your store)
• Generic IFPS approved PLU (i.e. using a generic “any fruit” or “any vegetable” PLU instead of the specific IFPS PLU assigned such as 4011 forbananas)

The Alabama Approved Product List (APL) contains only Alabama IFPS-approved PLUs. If UPCs for produce or store-assigned PLUs are scanned without having been mapped/linked, the APL will not identify those products as WIC-approved food items and the WIC customer will not be able to make a produce purchase using their eWIC card.

Produce already using an IFPS PLU will continue to use that PLU. There is no need to map/link since the APL will recognize it. However, if the produce in question is using a generic “any fruit” or “any vegetable” IFPS PLU, you will need to map it to the closest specific IFPS PLU. Do not map other foods or non-food items to PLUs.

Items containing more than a single type of produce may be mapped to an IFPS-approved PLU of one of the produce items in the mix. For example, a container of cut-up melons (contains a mixture of watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew) can be mapped to 4049 for cantaloupe.

Store Responsibility

• Map/link all required fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Contact your Electronic Cash Register (ECR) Provider for specific instructionson how to map/link produce as every ECR is different.
• Ensure store personnel are trained to address issues that might occur.

Additional Information

Additional information can be found by visiting Alabama eWIC and the IFPS website.