Eric: When it comes to purchasing a number of items, WIC customers are able to purchase less than the amount that is printed on the food instruments. The exception to that is infant formula. WIC Customers must purchase the exact amount of infant formula printed on food instruments. In other words, if it says 4 cans of infant formula, they must get all 4 cans – not 3 cans or 5 cans.

Vanessa: What if the food instrument says, “4 cans of infant formula” and there are only 3 cans left on the shelf?

Eric: Stores are required to have a certain amount of infant formula in stock at all times. If there are not enough cans on the shelf, they may be in a store room or somewhere else. Just call for assistance or ask someone to check the store’s stock for you. Unfortunately, if the store is out of any WIC foods, the customer will have to visit another WIC vendor; we don’t issue rain checks for food instruments.