Glossary of Vendor eWIC Terms

APL: Approved Product List. This list is managed by Minnesota WIC and contains all of the UPCs and PLUs of WIC allowed foods. The store’s point of sale system or stand-beside terminal uses this list to know if a food in the transaction is WIC allowed.

UPC: Universal Product Code. A 12-digit number and barcode. POS systems "ring up" the barcode and convert it to the 12-digit number to identify the specific item. This is how the POS system knows what is being purchased.

PLU: Price Look-Up code. This is a 4- or 5-digit number associated with a specific type of item. PLUs can be used on many types of food, but for WIC, PLUs are only used on fresh fruits and vegetables. WIC uses a universal list of PLUs that are the same from store to store. (Example: Bananas are 4011 everywhere.) Some foods with PLUs have stickers on them.

POS: Point of Sale (system). This term refers to the store’s total cash register set-up and the software it uses for transactions. Use of this term by state WIC staff generally implies that the store is integrated for eWIC.

POS Provider: May also be referred to as a POS Reseller or Value-Added Reseller (VAR). This is a company that supports retailers (typically independent retailers or small/regional chains) by providing and servicing the cash register hardware and software. The POS provider will also provide training and technical support to store employees.

PIN: Personal Identification Number. WIC cards have a 4-digit PIN.

CVB: Cash Value Benefit, used to purchase WIC allowed fruits and vegetables.

Integrated (store): The store's POS is programmed to handle eWIC and all other forms of payment, and allows WIC customers to purchase WIC and non-WIC products without separating them into different transactions. In Minnesota, all chain stores and most medium and large stores' POS systems are integrated for eWIC.

Mixed-Basket Transaction: A transaction conducted in an integrated store in which WIC and non-WIC items are in one order, but with more than one form of payment.

Stand-Beside Terminal: A separate machine (terminal) used to transact WIC benefits if the store does not have an integrated POS system. WIC items must be purchased separately from other items. Most small stores use stand-beside terminals for eWIC.

Produce Mapping: A retailer process for linking a 12-digit UPC for WIC allowed fresh produce (that is NOT in the APL) with a 4-digit PLU that IS in the APL. Mapping is ONLY used on fresh produce with UPCs. It is not used for bulk produce that customers bag themselves, on frozen fruits and vegetables, or any other WIC foods since those PLUs and UPCs are in the APL, and the store doesn’t need to do anything for them to scan as WIC allowed when they’re included in participants’ benefits.