9-12-12

Tennessee WIC Ownership/Management

Vendor Training for2012 –2014

Goals for this Training Presentation

•Reinforcement of what is presented in the “Introduction to WIC” video•Details of 2012 – 2014 WIC Food List

What Ownership/Management Needs to Know?

Some Basic Facts About WIC

•Officially known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)•Federally funded but administered by each state•Services provided in TN at local health departments•Provides nutrition education and supplemental

nutritious foods to eligible women, infants and young children up to age five

Reminders for a Successful WIC Food Instrument (FI) Transaction

•Verify the valid month•Separate WIC foods from other items and by transaction•Review the eligible foods and quantities (Participants do not have to receive all the eligible food)•When in doubt, refer to the 2012—2014 Cashier Card•Match signature with signature from folder

Reminders for a Successful Cash Value Voucher (CVV) Transaction

•Verify the valid month•Separate eligible fruits and vegetables from other items and by transaction•Purchase amounts greater than the full value can be paid by SNAP or other form of payment•Never enter more than the full value in “Pay this Amount”•Match signature with signature from folder

And the Next Steps to Success

•Alterations to date and/or dollar amount may not be paid (contact the regional Vendor Representative for assistance)•Deposit within 30 days of the last day of the valid month•Vendor stamp must be legible on each FI and CVV

Automated Clearing House (ACH) Payments

•Electronic transaction made when the dollar amount exceeds the maximum allowed•Maximum dollar amounts for FIs are based on the

state-wide average per peer group for each type of FI•Maximum dollar amounts for CVVs are based on the

dollar value•These FIs and CVVs are considered rejected and

returned to the vendor stamped “Exceeds Maximum Amount; Will be paid at reduced amount via ACH; DO NOT REDEPOSIT”

To Insure ACH Payments and Statements

•Vendors must provide correct bank information•ACH payments occur on Fridays, statements follow the first of the next week•If multiple locations, statements can be produced for one central location or for each location•Statements can be received on-line or by regular mail•The “ACH Process Overview” presentation offers additional information

Customer Courtesies

•WIC customers must be offered any courtesy offered to other customers •This includes “Buy One, Get One Free”, Bonus or Value Cards, coupons and any other incentive•“Double the Money Back” guarantees for quality and freshness apply to WIC transactions•It is prohibited for vendors to offer WIC participant only incentives

Monitoring and ComplianceAll WIC vendors are expected to be compliant with the WIC Vendor Agreement & WIC Handbook

Grocery vendors receive at least 2 formal monitoring visits in any 12 month period. These visits verify:•Minimum stock•Reported prices•Observed WIC transactions are properly conducted•Available FIs and CVVs on hand were handled correctly

Failure to meet any of the above may result in sanctions as outlined in the Vendor Handbook

Monitoring and Compliance (cont.)•Under-cover compliance buys are routinely conducted•Vendors are notified of negative results during the investigation unless it would jeopardize the investigation•If vendor is notified, training will be optional but will become mandatory if non-compliance continues•A pattern of non-compliance for the same reason will result in sanctions•There is opportunity to request a hearing or administrative review

Monitoring and Compliance (cont.)

• When found necessary, an inventory audit of WIC foods is conducted

• If a pattern of shortages is determined, sanctions will be given

• There is opportunity to request a hearing

Complaint Process

Complaints by participants towards vendors:•Followed up by local WIC staff if thought to be legitimate complaint•May be referred to the State WIC office•Can result in compliance buys or an inventory audit

Complaint Process (cont.)

Complaints by vendors towards participants:•Report the situation to the local Vendor Representative•Include the participant information on the top left hand side of the FI or CVV•If abuse is documented, the participant receives a warning letter•Further documented abuse will result in the participant’s disqualification from WIC

Details of

The 2012 – 2014 Tennessee WIC

Food List

From the Front Side of the Cashier Card for 2012 -- 2014

Milk

Allowed unless FI calls for one of the exceptions below:•Gallon size of any brand in reduced fat, low fat, fat free or sweet acidophilusAllowed when on FI:•Whole milk•Lactose Reduced or Lactose Free in largest available size •Ultra High Temperature(UHT)

Milk (cont.)Allowed when on FI (cont.):•Non-fat dry powdered milk•Goat’s milk•Evaporated milk including low-fat•Buttermilk including low-fat

Not allowed:• Chocolate milk• Non-dairy beverages (except when soy beverage is

on FI)• Organic products

Milk SubstitutesTofu is allowed when on FI:•Specific brand and types are on the Cashier Card•Organic products are allowed

Soy beverages are allowed when on FI:•Specific brand and types are on the Cashier Card•Organic products are allowed

Cheese

8 or 16 oz package of approved varieties in store or private label brand (unless none is carried):•Mozzarella, Cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack and Process American

Allowed:•Block , slices, string or stick •Blends of the approved varieties• Low, free, reduced, less or light in sodium, fat or

cholesterol

Cheese (cont.)

Not allowed:• Shredded or cubed• Imported• Flavored or smoked• With added ingredients or seasonings• Cheese food, spreads, products or imitation cheese• From deli or cheese shop unless not sold elsewhere• Organic products

Eggs

Allowed:•Dozen carton, Grade A Large white eggs

Not allowed:•Brown eggs•Specialty eggs including organic•Dried eggs mix•Hard boiled eggs

Dried Beans & Peas

Allowed:•16 oz bag of plain dry beans, peas or lentils

Not allowed:•With seasoning packets•Organic

Canned BeansAllowed:• 15 – 16 oz cans of plain beans• Includes garbanzo beans/chick peas, crowder peas

and purple hull peas• Added sugar• Reduced sodiumNot allowed:• Green peas, green beans, or wax beans• Added meat, sauces or spices• Organic products

Peanut ButterAllowed:• 16 – 18 jar in glass or plastic• Smooth or crunchy• Refrigerated or non-refrigerated• Regular or reduced sodium and added vitaminsNot allowed:• Reduced fat, peanut butter spreads• Added jelly or honey• Store ground• Organic products

Allowed size(s) will be on FI:

Allowed 46 – 48 oz can or plastic:• Any brand of orange or grapefruit• Specific brands and flavors are on the Cashier

CardAllowed 11.5/12 oz frozen:• Any brand of orange or grapefruit• Specific brands and flavors are on the Cashier

Card

Juice

Juice (cont.)Allowed 64 oz plastic bottle:• Any brand of orange or grapefruit•Specific brands and flavors are on the Cashier Card

Not allowed for any juice:•Bottle or carton from dairy case•Fruit drinks or fruit cocktails•Sweetened or added spices•Organic products

From the Back Side of the Cashier Card for 2012 -- 2014

Canned FishAllowed:•Chunk light tuna in 5 to 6 oz cans (No albacore)•Pink or red salmon in 14.75 oz cans (can have bones or skin)•Sardines in 3.75 oz cans (can be in tomato or mustard sauce)•Any brand•Regular or low sodiumNot Allowed:•Smoked products•Organic products

CVVs for the Purchase of Fresh and Frozen Fruits and Vegetables

Allowed:•Fresh whole or cut fruit without added sugars•Frozen fruits without added sugars•Fresh whole or cut vegetables without added sugars, fats, oils, herbs or spices•Frozen vegetables without added sugars, fats, oils breading, herbs or spices in regular or low sodium

CVVs for the Purchase of Fresh and Frozen Fruits and Vegetables (cont.)

Allowed (cont.):•Orange yams and sweet potatoes in fresh or frozen•Broccoli, cauliflower and artichokes (not edible blossoms or flowers, e.g. squash blossoms•Organic fruits and vegetables that meet the other requirements

CVVs for the Purchase of Fresh and Frozen Fruits and Vegetables (cont.)

Not allowed:• Fruits or vegetables with added sugars, fats, or oils• Herbs or spices• Pasta or rice mixes• Breaded vegetables• Vegetables in creams or sauces• Dried fruits or vegetables• Fruit baskets, party trays, baked goods (e.g.,

blueberry muffins), or items from salad bars

Cereal

•The minimum box size is 11 ounces•Specific brands and varieties of both hot and cold cereal are on the Cashier Card•WIC participants are encouraged to buy whole grain cereals; they are indicated on the Cashier Card by an asterisk

Bread, Buns, Rolls and Tortillas

Allowed:•Bread, buns, rolls in 12 to 16 oz packages•Whole wheat or soft corn tortillas in 12 to 16 oz packages •Specific brands and varieties are on the Cashier Card

Other Whole Unprocessed Grains

Allowed in instant, quick cook or regular cooking: •Brown rice•Bulgur (also known as cracked wheat)•Whole grain barley•Oats (not oatmeal in packets) are eligible as a grain•Any brand of the above in 12 – 16 oz packagesNot allowed:•Pearled barley•Organic products

Infant FoodInfant formula – allow only the brand, type and quantity listed on the FIInfant cereal: Allowed:•Any grain, including whole wheat/whole grain•8 oz box of Beechnut or GerberNot allowed:•Added infant formula or milk •Added fruit or non-cereal ingredients•Organic products•Products with DHA/ARA

Infant Food (cont.)Infant vegetables – Stage 2 or 2nd Foods:Allowed:• Single ingredient such as carrots• 3.5 or 4.0 oz jars of Beechnut or Gerber in single jars

or twin packsNot allowed:• Combination products such as peas and carrots• Added sugars, starches or sodium• Organic products• Products with DHA/ARA

Infant Food (cont.)

Infant fruits – Stage 2 or 2nd Foods:Allowed:• Single ingredient such as apples• 3.5 or 4.0 oz jars of Beechnut or Gerber in single jars

or twin packs

Infant Food (cont.)

Infant fruits – Stage 2 or 2nd Foods (cont.):Not allowed:• Combinations such as apples and blueberries• Added sugars, starches or sodium• Added cereal• No desserts such as fruit cobbler• Organic products• Products with DHA/ARA

Infant Food (cont.)Infant meats (may be labeled either 1st or 2nd stage):Allowed:• Single major ingredient of meat or poultry with

added broth or gravy• 2.5 oz jars of Beechnut or GerberNot allowed:• Added sugars or sodium• Combinations such as meat and vegetables• Dinners such as spaghetti and meatballs• Organic products• Products with DHA/ARA

Revised Materials for 2012 – 2014

WIC Food List Reminders•WIC participants receive pamphlets, vendors receive

Cashier Cards – different format but same information•There is a three month transition between the old and

new lists•The Food List includes all possibly allowed items, read

the FI to see what is specifically allowed for that transaction•CVVs show a specific dollar amount of fruits and

vegetables, read them carefully

Cashier Card

• Reflects same Food List changes as the participant pamphlets

• The three month transition requires both old and new Cashier Card at each register

• Lists all possible eligible items – remember to carefully read the FI

Thanks for the Time & Attention,For More Information:

•For federal regulations and policies, see the USDA WIC Website: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic

•For information specific to Tennessee WIC: http://health.tn.gov/wic and click on “Vendor Management”

•Or contact your local Vendor Representative.