WIC Participants' Perspectives About Online Ordering and Technology in the WIC Program

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants' perceptions about ordering WIC groceries online. Methods: Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with 24 WIC participants in East Tennes-see from May to October 2019. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a grounded the -or y approach. Results: Participants were interested in online ordering and spoke favorably about delivery and pickup op-tions. Participants were willing to pay $2-5 to order online, though they were more willing to pay for a home or curbside delivery than an in-store pickup. Participants suggested additional ways to integrate tech-nology into WIC food retail operations, such as providing benefit balances via text message and developing a mobile phone application for Tennessee WIC. Conclusions and Implications: Findings can inform pilot tests for WIC online ordering.

Automated summary

Participants in this study showed interest in online ordering for WIC groceries, favoring delivery and pickup options. They were willing to pay a fee for online ordering, with a preference for home delivery over in-store pickup. Participants suggested integrating technology into WIC food retail operations, such as providing benefit balances via text message and developing a mobile phone application for Tennessee WIC.