WIC Vendor Management

							March 2009 WIC Newsletter

Iowa Department of Public Health WIC Program Lucas State Office Building 321 East 12th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075

WIC Vendor Management
Vendor Coordinator Don Gourley 515-281-6205 dgourley@idph.state.ia.us Vendor Representative Ken Kane 515-281-3929 kkane@idph.state.is.us Nutrition Consultant 515-281-4545 Susan Pohl spohl@idph.state.ia.us

Iowa Department of Public Health WIC Program Newsletter March 2009 Volume 8 Issue 4

Iowa Department of Public Health Lucas State Office Building 321 East 12th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075

Issuance of WIC Food Instruments for 1% or Fat-Free Skim Milk One of the major changes to be implemented in the new food packages in October 2009 is providing low fat milk to WIC participants who are 2 years and older. Effective October 1, 2009, all of these participants will receive Food Instruments (FI’s) that specify the purchase of 1% or fat-free skim milk. Effective March 1, 2009, in preparation for this mandatory rule, the Iowa WIC Program will be offering participants the option of receiving WIC Checks written specifically for low fat milk and whole milk. The issuance of low fat milk will be mandatory in October 2009. Until October 2009 stores will see milk checks with the following text:
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Staff Secretary Sherry Smith 515-281-6650 sherry.smith@idph.state.ia.us

Website: www.idph.state.ia.us/wic WIC Program Materials
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Multi-color WIC food flyers for Grocery Vendors Grocery and Special Purpose Vendor Clerk’s Guide to WIC Grocery and Special Purpose Vendor Review Questions Brochures (Available in English and Spanish) • “How to Accept WIC Checks” Training videos—DVD and CD formats available in English and Spanish Vendor Comment Cards WIC Authorized Store Window Decal

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No WIC ID Card = No Purchase

Milk—Unflavored Only” 1% Low Fat or Fat Free Skim Milk Whole Milk—Unflavored There will be “NO” 2% FI’s.

WIC is an equal opportunity provider.

GOATS MILK : Meyenberg Goats Milk is the only brand of authorized goats milk. Checks will be written for Fresh, Powdered, or Evaporated.

Steps to Follow When Accepting Iowa WIC Checks
Iowa WIC Vendors may only redeem checks issued by the Iowa WIC Program
Confirm Dates check is valid between these dates. Confirm purchase. Participant is allowed to purchase only the item's) printed on the WIC check. Participant must sign the check in the presence of the cashier. The cashier must compare the signature to one of the authorized signatures on the WIC ID. •

Actions not subject to Administrative Review The State Agency’s determination to include or exclude an infant formula manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, or retailer from the required approved formula listing. The State agency’s determination whether to notify a vendor in writing when an investigation reveals an initial violation for which a pattern of violations must be established in order to impose a sanction. The maximum amount for all vendor Civil Money Penalties (CMPs) and fines, including State agency violations, will be the same $11,000 for each violation and $44,000 for the total amount of CMPs or fines for multiple violations occurring during a single investigation.

WIC Vendor Agreement Amendment Effective March 9, 2009

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Reminder: No Iowa WIC ID = No Purchase
Processing Iowa WIC Checks
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Clarification on the Use of the WIC Acronym and Logo • Vendors are not permitted to use the WIC acronym or close facsimiles, in the name of the vendor. Vendors are only permitted to use State WIC signage provide to indicate the store is an authorized WIC Vendor. Vendors are restricted from using the WIC Acronym in advertising and other promotional materials. Vendors are restricted from using the WIC logo in advertising or other promotional materials. Vendors may not apply stickers, tags or labels that have the WIC service mark on WIC-approved products. Vendors are restricted from using channel strips or shelf talkers with the WIC service mark to identify WIC-approved products. Vendors creating signage indicating WIC approved products must be approved by the State WIC agency.

Confirm the purchase date is within the First Date of Use and Last Date of Use Store associate or participant enters the date of the purchase. Confirm the purchase is for only the items listed on the WIC check. Only WIC Approved items may be purchased — check the Iowa WIC Approved Foods flyer. Store associate or participant enters the correct amount of purchase. Participant must sign the WIC check in the presence of the cashier. Pre-signed WIC checks should not be accepted. Store associate compares the signature on the WIC check with one of the authorized signatures on the blue Iowa WIC ID folder. Store accounting/bookkeeping department applies the stores unique 5-digit Iowa WIC ID stamp to all WIC Food Instruments. Deposit WIC check.
• • Deposit WIC check within 15-days of transaction.
Contact the State WIC Office if you have questions regarding returned checks.

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