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Tennessee WIC Ownership/Management Vendor Training for 2013 –2014. 8-21-13. Goals for this Training Presentation. Reinforce what is presented in “Introduction to WIC” video Familiarity with details of October 1, 2013 changes to the 2012 – 2014 WIC Food List.
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Tennessee WIC Ownership/Management Vendor Training for 2013 –2014 8-21-13
Goals for this Training Presentation • Reinforce what is presented in “Introduction to WIC” video • Familiarity with details of October 1, 2013 changes to the 2012 – 2014 WIC Food List
Some Basic Facts About WIC • The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) • Federally funded, state administered • WIC services at local health departments • Nutrition education and supplemental nutritious foods for eligible women, infants and young children up to age five
Reminders for a SuccessfulWIC Food Instrument (FI) Transaction • Verify valid month • Separate WIC foods from other items • Separate WIC foods by WIC transaction • Review eligible foods and quantities • Participants do not have to receive all eligible food • When in doubt, refer to new 2013 – 2014 Cashier Card • Match signature with signature from folder
Reminders for a SuccessfulCash Value Voucher (CVV) Transaction • Verify valid month • Separate eligible fruits and vegetables from other items • Separate WIC foods by WIC transaction • Review eligible foods • Purchase amounts greater than maximum value can be paid by SNAP or other form of payment • Never enter more than maximum 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 last day of valid month • Vendor stamp must be legible on each FI and CVV
Automated Clearing House (ACH) Payments • Electronic transaction made when dollar amount exceeds the maximum allowed • Maximum dollar amounts for FIs based on state-wide average per peer group for each type of FI • Maximum dollar amounts for CVVs based on dollar value • These FIs and CVVs considered rejected and returned to 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 first of 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
Customer Courtesies • WIC customers must be offered courtesies offered to other customers • 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 • Prohibited for vendors to offer WIC participant only incentives
Monitoring and Compliance WIC vendors are expected to be compliant with WIC Vendor Agreement & WIC Vendor 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 properly conducted • Available FIs and CVVs on hand handled correctly Failure to meet the above may result in sanctions as outlined in Vendor Handbook
Monitoring and Compliance (cont.) • Routine under-cover compliance buys • Vendors notified of negative results during investigation unless it would jeopardize investigation • Training optional when vendor first notified, becomes mandatory if non-compliance continues • Pattern of non-compliance for same reason results in sanctions • Opportunity to request a hearing or administrative review
Monitoring and Compliance (cont.) • Inventory audit of WIC foods conducted when necessary • Pattern of shortages will result in sanctions • Opportunity to request a hearing
Complaint Process Complaints by participants towards vendors: • Followed up by local WIC staff if thought legitimate • May be referred to State WIC office • Can result in compliance buys or inventory audit
Complaint Process (cont.) Complaints by vendors towards participants: • Report situation to local Vendor Representative • Include participant information from top left hand side of FI or CVV • If abuse is documented, participant receives warning letter • Further documented abuse results in participant’s disqualification from WIC
Details of Revisions to 2012 – 2014 Tennessee WIC Food List
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 acidophilus Allowed 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 on FI) • Organic
Milk Substitutes Tofu is allowed when on FI: • Specific brand and types on Cashier Card • Organic allowed Soy beverages are allowed when on FI: • Specific brand and types on Cashier Card including additional brand and types for 2013 – 2014 • Organic allowed • New requirement that participants receive largest available refrigerated size or largest available shelf size, including quarts or half-gallons
Cheese 8 or 16 oz package of approved varieties in store or private label brand (unless none carried): • Mozzarella, Cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack and Process American Allowed: • Block, slices, string or stick • Blends of 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 (not applicable to Cabot brand) • Organic
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 and Peas Allowed: • 16 oz bag of plain dry beans, peas or lentils Not allowed: • With seasoning packets • Organic
Canned Beans Allowed: • 15 – 16 oz cans of plain beans • Includes garbanzo beans/chick peas, crowder peas and purple hull peas • Added sugar • Reduced sodium Not allowed: • Green peas, green beans, or wax beans • Added meat, sauces or spices • Organic
Peanut Butter Allowed: • 16 – 18 jar in glass or plastic • Smooth or crunchy • Refrigerated or non-refrigerated • Regular or reduced sodium and added vitamins Not allowed: • Reduced fat, peanut butter spreads • Added jelly or honey • Store ground • Organic
Juice Allowed size(s) on FI: Allowed 46 – 48 oz can or plastic: • Any brand of orange or grapefruit • Specific brands and flavors on Cashier Card Allowed 11.5/12 oz frozen: • Any brand of orange or grapefruit • Specific brands and flavors on Cashier Card
Juice (cont.) Allowed 64 oz plastic bottle: • Any brand of orange or grapefruit • Specific brands and flavors on Cashier Card Not allowed for any juice: • Bottle or carton from dairy case • Fruit drinks or fruit cocktails • Sweetened or added spices • Organic
Canned Fish Allowed: • 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 sodium Not Allowed: • Smoked • Organic
CVVs for 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 Purchase ofFresh 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 that meet other requirements
CVVs for 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 • Minimum box size is 11 ounces • Specific brands and varieties of both hot and cold cereal on Cashier Card • WIC participants encouraged to buy whole grain cereals; are indicated on Cashier Card by an asterisk
Bread, Buns, Rolls and Tortillas Please note new size requirement Allowed: • Bread, buns, rolls in 16 oz packages • Whole wheat or soft corn tortillas in 16 oz packages • Specific brands and varieties for 2013 – 2014 on Cashier Card
Other Whole Unprocessed Grains New16 oz size requirement also applicable to these products Allowed in instant, quick cook or regular cooking: • Brown rice • Bulgur (also known as cracked wheat) • Whole grain barley • Oats (not oatmeal in packets) eligible as other grain • Any brand of above in 16 oz packages Not allowed: • Pearled barley • Organic
Infant Food Infant formula – allow only brand, type and quantity listed on FI Infant cereal: Allowed: • Any grain, including whole wheat/whole grain • 8 oz box of Beechnut or Gerber Not allowed: • Added infant formula or milk • Added fruit or non-cereal ingredients • Organic • 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 packs Not allowed: • Combination products such as peas and carrots • Added sugars, starches or sodium • Organic • 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 • 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 Gerber Not allowed: • Added sugars or sodium • Combinations such as meat and vegetables • Dinners such as spaghetti and meatballs • Organic • With DHA/ARA
Revised Materials for 2013 – 2014 (Samples, printed copies will include final changes.)
WIC Food List Reminders • WIC participants receive pamphlets, vendors receive Cashier Cards – different format, same information • Three month transition between old and new lists • Food List includes all possibly allowed items, read FI to see what is specifically allowed for that transaction • CVVs show specific dollar amount of fruits and vegetables, read them carefully and never enter dollar amount greater than maximum value of CVV
Cashier Card • Reflects same Food List changes as Women & Children pamphlet • 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.