WIC Shopping Guide. Washington State WIC Nutrition Program

Transcription

1 WIC Shopping Guide Washington State WIC Nutrition Program Effective July 2015

2 Notes Contents Information for WIC Shoppers Using WIC Checks...2 Shopping Tips...3 Baby Food Baby Cereal...4 Baby Food Fruits and Vegetables...4 Baby Food Meats...5 Breakfast Cereal Cheese...8 Dried Beans/Peas/Lentils...9 Eggs...10 Fish Canned...11 Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Juice Juice for Women Cans or Plastic Bottles (46 OZ) Juice for Women Frozen (11.5 OZ or 12 OZ) Juice for Children Plastic Bottles (64 OZ) Milk Nonfat, 1%, 2%, and Whole Lactose Free Dry Evaporated Peanut Butter...23 Soy Beverage...24 Tofu...25 Whole Grain Choices Brown Rice Bulgur Oatmeal Soft Tortillas Whole Wheat Pasta % Whole Wheat Bread Information for WIC Retailers WIC Customer Identification Important Points to Remember at the Check Stand Helpful Information for Checkers How to Take a WIC Check How to Take WIC Fruit and Vegetable Checks

3 Information for WIC Shoppers Using WIC Checks The following rules apply to WIC checks and WIC Fruit and Vegetable checks: Use your checks on or between the first and last day to use. Use a check only if your name is printed below the signature box. Shop only at approved stores. Look for the WIC Checks Accepted Here signs. Buy the amounts and types of foods listed on your checks. Separate your WIC foods by check, and from other items you are buying. Let the checker know you are using WIC checks before you begin your purchase. Sign the check only after the checker sees your ID and writes in the Actual Purchase Price. These additional rules apply only to WIC Fruit and Vegetable checks: Ask the checker if you can combine more than one WIC Fruit and Vegetable check. Some stores can do this. Example: You can combine a $8 WIC Fruit and Vegetable check with a $10 WIC Fruit and Vegetable check to pay for $18 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables. Shopping Tips Information for WIC Shoppers You can help WIC serve more families by using coupons and loyalty cards, and choosing lower priced foods. You can participate in store specials when you use WIC checks. This includes buy one, get one free offers. The buy one food must be WIC approved. The get one free does not have to be WIC approved. You can ask the store s customer service staff if the store can order foods you need. Stores are not required to carry all WIC approved foods. You cannot accept rainchecks. You do not have to buy all the foods printed on your WIC checks. You can buy less, not more. If you buy less, you cannot return to the store for the foods that were on the check that you did not buy. If you or your alternate shopper use the WIC Appointment/ID folder as ID, make sure the names and signatures are included before shopping. Other forms of ID are accepted. The name on the ID must match one of the names printed below the signature box on the check. Do not sign the check until the checker enters the Actual Purchase Price. If you sign the check before you give it to the checker, the store will not accept the check. It is best to avoid express lanes when using more than one WIC check. If your purchase costs more than the amount on the WIC Fruit and Vegetable check, you are allowed to pay the extra amount. Example: If the purchase costs $9, and you are using a $8 WIC Fruit and Vegetable check, you can pay the extra $1 to cover the cost. If your purchase costs less than the amount on the WIC Fruit and Vegetable check, you are not allowed to receive money back. Weights and Measures Abbreviations: Ounces = OZ Pound = LB Equivalents: ½ gallon = 2 quarts 1 gallon = 2 half-gallons 1 gallon = 3.8 liters ½ pound = 8 ounces 1 pound = 16 ounces 1 pound = 0.45 kilograms Shopping Tip Look for Shopping Tips throughout the guide. 2 3

4 Baby Food Baby Cereal Baby Food Meats Baby Food NOT Cans Jars Single-serve or individual packets Added flavors, fruit, or formula Corn DHA Organic Prebiotic or probiotic Quinoa 2.5 OZ glass jars These brands Stage 1 or Stage 2: Baby Basics Beech-Nut Classics Full Circle Organic Gerber 2nd Foods Happy Naturals O Organics Tippy Toes or Tippy Toes Organic Wild Harvest Organic Yummy Naturals Yummy Organics Any variety Single meat With broth or gravy NOT Plastic containers Added flavors, formula, or spices Casseroles DHA Dinners Meat sticks Mixed with fruits or vegetables Noodles or rice Stage 3 8 OZ or 16 OZ Boxes or plastic flip lid containers Dry These brands: Beech-Nut Gerber Any type, including multigrain, oatmeal, rice, and whole wheat Baby Food Fruits and Vegetables 4 OZ glass jars These brands Stage 2: Baby Basics Beech-Nut Classics Full Circle Organic Gerber 2nd Foods Happy Naturals O Organics Tippy Toes or Tippy Toes Organic Wild Harvest Organic Yummy Naturals Yummy Organics Any variety Combinations of fruits Combinations of vegetables Single fruit Single vegetable NOT Plastic containers Added flavors, formula, or spices Casseroles Cereal Cobblers Desserts DHA Dinners Grains Meats Noodles or rice Pouches Stage 1 or Stage 3 For Fully Breastfeeding Babies Breastfeeding provides moms and babies with lifelong health benefits. WIC supports breastfeeding. The more you breastfeed, the more WIC foods you receive! Formula Only the brand, size, and type of formula printed on the WIC check is allowed. For information about WIC Approved Formulas, visit or call

5 Breakfast Cereal Cold Breakfast Cereal Hot Breakfast Cereal Shopping Tip: You can choose a combination of breakfast cereals up to the amount of ounces (OZ) printed on the WIC check. Examples: OR 17.3 OZ 18 OZ OR Boxes, 11 OZ to 36 OZ These brands and types: Cold Breakfast Cereal Bran Flakes: Essential Everyday * Food Club * Great Value * IGA * Kroger * Safeway * Western Family * Cheerios () * Corn Chex Kellogg s Corn Flakes Kellogg s Mini-Wheats, Unfrosted * Kix () Life () Post Grape Nuts * Post Grape Nuts Flakes * Rice Chex Wheat Chex * Hot Breakfast Cereal Cream of Wheat (1 minute, 2 ½ minute, 10 minute) Instant oatmeal in boxes containing individual packets: Essential Everyday Original Flavor * Great Value, Original * IGA, Regular Flavor * Safeway, Regular Flavor * Quaker Oats, Original * Western Family, Regular Flavor * WinCo Foods Original * Breakfast Cereal NOT Bags Cylinders Added flavors, fruits, or spices Added nuts or seeds Shopping Tip You can choose instant oatmeal in boxes containing individual packets when breakfast cereal is printed on the WIC check. 6 = 36 OZ = 35.3 OZ = 36 OZ * These breakfast cereals are good sources of whole grain and fiber. 7

6 Cheese Dried Beans/Peas/Lentils NOT Single-serve or individual packets Added flavors, nuts, seeds, or spices Cheese from raw milk Cracker cut Cream cheese Deli cheese Diced, crumbled, cubed, cut, grated, shredded, or sliced DHA/ARA Extra sharp cheddar Fresh mozzarella Goat or sheep cheese Imported Lactose free Low or reduced cholesterol Muenster Organic Parmesan Pepper Jack Processed pasteurized American Provolone Queso fresco Ricotta String cheese Swiss Unpasteurized Vintage cheese NOT Boxes Cans Barley Bean and rice mix Coffee beans Dried refried beans Frozen Gourmet style Green beans Jelly beans Soup or soup mix Vanilla beans 16 OZ package when 1 LB cheese is printed on the WIC check Made from pasteurized cow s milk Made in USA These types: Cheddar (mild, medium, or sharp, yellow or white ) Colby Colby Jack Monterey Jack Mozzarella 8 OZ package only when kosher cheese is printed on the WIC check Two 16 OZ packages when 2 LB cheese is printed on the WIC check 32 OZ package when 2 LB cheese is printed on the WIC check Calcium and/or Vitamin D fortified Fat free, lowfat, and reduced fat Part skim or whole Reduced sodium 16 OZ bags Bulk (sold by weight) Any variety Low sodium Non organic or organic Shopping Tip You can choose dried beans, peas, and lentils or peanut butter. See page 23 for information about peanut butter. 8 9

7 Eggs Fish Canned 12-count carton (1 dozen) White, chicken eggs Small, medium, or large size NOT Bulk Brown eggs Cage-free DHA Dried Duck eggs Egg substitute products Extra-large or jumbo Fertile Free-range Hard-boiled eggs Liquid eggs Low or reduced cholesterol Naturally-nested or other specialty eggs Non-chicken eggs Omega 3 Organic Pasteurized Powdered Reduced saturated fat Vegetarian Fed Chunk light tuna in water, 5 OZ to 6 OZ Pink salmon, 5 OZ to OZ Cans Boneless Low sodium Skinless NOT Foil bags Glass Plastic Pouches Snack packs Albacore tuna Dried Fancy Fillet Fresh Frozen Gourmet Jack Mackerel Organic Red salmon Sardines Smoked Solid or chunk white tuna Specialty salmon or tuna steak Tongol tuna Yellowfin tuna For Fully Breastfeeding Women 10 Shopping Tip: You can choose a combination of chunk light tuna and pink salmon up to the amount of ounces (OZ) printed on the WIC check. Examples: 5 OZ + 5 OZ + 5 OZ + OR OZ + 5 OZ 5 OZ + 5 OZ + 5 OZ OZ = 30 oz = oz 11

8 Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Fresh Fruits and Vegetables 12 Fresh fruits Fresh vegetables Bags or packages Bulk (sold by weight) Plastic bowls, cups, tubs, or clam shell containers Any combination of fresh fruits and vegetables Any variety Non organic or organic Whole or cut NOT Added dips, dressings, fats, or oils Added juice, syrup, or water Breaded, canned, cooked, creamed, frozen, or soups Dried roll-ups and fruit leather Edible blossoms or flowers Fruit baskets Herbs or spices, such as aloe vera, anise, banana leaves, basil, bay leaves, caraway, chervil, chives, cilantro, corn husk, dill, fenugreek, horseradish, lemongrass, lime leaves, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, tarragon, thyme, vanilla beans, or wheatgrass Ornamental or decorative items, such as chili peppers, garlic on string, gourds, carved or painted pumpkins Party trays, platters, or trays Salad bar items Sugar or sugar cane Want to know how much fruits and vegetables will cost? 1. Weigh an item, and round the weight up to the nearest ½ pound. 2. Under the price per pound column, find the closest price per pound of the item. 3. Read across the row to find the cost based on the weight of the item. 4. Repeat these steps for each item. 5. Add together each item s cost to know about how much all of the fruits and vegetables you plan to buy will cost. Price per pound (LB) 1 LB 1½ LB 2 LB 2½ LB 3 LB 3½ LB 4 LB 4½ LB 5 LB $

9 Juice for Women Cans or Plastic Bottles (46 OZ) Cans or Plastic Bottles (46 OZ) Juice for Women Apple Grapefruit Grape Orange 46 OZ cans or 46 OZ plastic bottles These brands and types: Apple Great Value Apple Tree Top 100% Apple Grape Welch s 100% Grape Welch s 100% White Grape Grapefruit Great Value Pink Grapefruit Great Value White Grapefruit Texsun Ruby Red Grapefruit NOT Cartons or glass bottles Cider Cocktail Fruit juice blend Juice drink Lemon Lemonade Lime Limeade Organic Punch Refrigerated Pineapple Tomato and Vegetable Orange Texsun Orange Pineapple Dole Pineapple Haggen Unsweetened Pineapple IGA Pineapple Kroger Pineapple Western Family Pineapple Tomato and Vegetable Campbell s Tomato Haggen Tomato Haggen Vegetable IGA Tomato Kroger Tomato V8 100% Vegetable V8 Essential Antioxidants 100% Vegetable Western Family Tomato Western Family Vegetable Shopping Tip You can choose a combination of juice in 46 OZ cans, 46 OZ plastic bottles, or frozen containers when 2 juice is printed on the WIC check

10 Juice for Women Frozen (11.5 OZ or 12 OZ) Frozen (11.5 OZ or 12 OZ) Juice for Women Apple Grape 11.5 OZ or 12 OZ frozen These brands and types: Apple Essential Everyday Apple Fred Meyer Apple Great Value 100% Apple IGA Apple Kroger 100% Apple Old Orchard 100% Apple Safeway Apple Tree Top 100% Apple Western Family 100% Apple WinCo Foods Apple Grape Essential Everyday Grape Great Value 100% Grape Old Orchard 100% Grape Old Orchard 100% White Grape Welch s 100% Grape Welch s 100% White Grape Western Family 100% Grape NOT Cider Cocktail Fruit juice blend Juice drink Lemon Lemonade Lime Limeade Organic Punch Refrigerated Shopping Tip You can choose a combination of juice in frozen containers, 46 OZ cans, or 46 OZ plastic bottles when 2 juice is printed on the WIC check. Grapefruit Pineapple Orange Grapefruit 100% grapefruit juice Orange 100% orange juice Pineapple Dole 100% Pineapple Old Orchard 100% Pineapple 16 17

11 Juice for Children Plastic Bottles (64 OZ) Plastic Bottles (64 OZ) Juice for Children Apple Grape Orange Pineapple 64 OZ plastic bottles These brands and types: Apple Essential Everyday Apple Haggen 100% Apple IGA 100% Apple Kroger Apple Nestle Juicy Juice Apple Safeway 100% Juice Apple Tree Top 100% Apple Western Family 100% Apple WinCo Foods Apple Grape Essential Everyday Grape Essential Everyday White Grape Great Value 100% Grape Great Value 100% White Grape Haggen 100% Grape Haggen 100% White Grape IGA 100% Grape IGA 100% White Grape Kroger Grape Kroger White Grape Safeway 100% Grape Safeway 100% White Grape Welch s 100% Grape Welch s 100% White Grape Welch s Red 100% Grape Western Family 100% Grape Western Family White Grape WinCo Foods Grape WinCo Foods White Grape Orange 100% Orange Juice Some examples are listed below: Big Tex Essential Everyday Golden Crown Langers Old Orchard Safeway Western Family Pineapple Essential Everyday Pineapple Langers 100% Pineapple Safeway 100% Pineapple Western Family 100% Pineapple NOT Cartons or glass bottles Cider Cocktail Fruit juice blend Lemon Lemonade Lime Limeade Organic Punch Refrigerated 18 19

12 Milk Nonfat, 1%, 2%, and Whole Lactose Free Milk Only the type of milk printed on the WIC check Plastic or paper containers Cow s milk Homogenized Nonfat, 1%, and 2% fortified with Vitamins A and D Pasteurized, unflavored Refrigerated Whole milk fortified with Vitamin D Combinations of half-gallons and gallons Quarts only allowed when printed on the check Acidophilus Calcium-fortified Fat free Kosher Lactobacillus Lowfat Probiotics Reduced fat Skim milk with added thickeners, such as Creamy Fat Free, Skim Supreme Shopping Tip: You can combine two half-gallons for a gallon. Examples: Only the type of lactose free milk printed on the WIC check Plastic or paper containers Cow s milk Homogenized Lactose free nonfat, 1%, and 2% milk fortified with Vitamins A and D Lactose free whole milk fortified with Vitamin D Pasteurized, unflavored Refrigerated See page 22. NOT Combinations of half-gallons and gallons Quarts only allowed when printed on the check Lactose free nonfat milk or lactose free 1% milk when Lactose free 1% or less milk is printed on the WIC check Acidophilus Calcium-fortified Fat free Kosher Lactobacillus Dry = = Only dry milk when printed on the WIC check Dry nonfat, 1%, and 2% milk fortified with Vitamins A and D Dry whole milk fortified with Vitamin D Mixes to 1 quart of milk or more Cow s milk Homogenized Pasteurized, unflavored Boxes, cylinders, plastic bags, or pouches 2%, 1%, nonfat, or whole dry milk Calcium-fortified Kosher NOT NOT 20 See page 22. See page

13 Milk Evaporated 12 OZ can Only evaporated milk when printed on the WIC check Cow s milk Evaporated nonfat, 1%, and 2% milk fortified with Vitamins A and D Evaporated whole milk fortified with Vitamin D Homogenized Pasteurized, unflavored See list below. Pints, half-pints, or smaller Glass bottles Single-serve or individual packets Bulk powdered milk Buttermilk Chocolate milk DHA/ARA Half and half Hemp, nut, rice, or other grain beverages Kefir NOT 2%, 1%, fat free, nonfat, or whole evaporated milk Calcium-fortified Kosher NOT FOR ALL TYPES OF MILK Low-carb dairy beverage Non homogenized Omega 3 Organic Other animal milk, such as goat or sheep Raw milk Soy milk or beverage Sweetened condensed milk UHT containers Unpasteurized milk Whipping cream 16 OZ to 18 OZ jar Creamy or smooth Chunky or extra chunky Crunchy or extra crunchy Low sodium Natural peanut butter No stir or stir Salted or unsalted Peanut Butter NOT Bulk Added oils, such as flax or safflower DHA/ARA Chocolate Freshly ground or grind-it-yourself Gourmet Honey Jelly Low-carb peanut butter spread Low-glycemic Marshmallows Natural spread Nut or seed butters, such as almond, cashew, sesame, soy, sunflower, or tahini Omega 3 Organic Powdered Reduced fat Roasted honey nut Single-serve or slices Spread Squeeze It tubes Valencia Vitamin E Shopping Tip You can choose dried beans, peas, and lentils or peanut butter. See page 9 for information about dried beans, peas, and lentils

14 Soy Beverage Tofu NOT Almond, coconut, hemp, or rice milk Blends or creamers 8th Continent Complete Vanilla 8th Continent Light Chocolate 8th Continent Light Original 8th Continent Light Vanilla Pacific organic Unsweetened Pacific Select Soy Original Pacific Select Soy Vanilla Non refrigerated Silk Soymilk Silk Chocolate Silk DHA Omega-3 Silk Light Chocolate Silk Light Original Silk Light Vanilla Silk Organic Original Silk Organic Unsweetened Silk Organic Vanilla Silk Vanilla Silk Very Vanilla 16 OZ container Calcium-set NOT Baked, cubed, or sliced Dessert tofu Non refrigerated These brands and types: 8th Continent Original Soymilk 8th Continent Vanilla Soymilk Half-gallon containers Refrigerated Pacific Ultra Soy Original Pacific Ultra Soy Vanilla 32 OZ (quart) containers Non refrigerated Silk Original Soymilk Half-gallon containers 32 OZ (quart) containers Twin pack of half-gallon containers Refrigerated These brands and types: Azumaya Extra Firm Azumaya Firm Azumaya Silken House Foods Extra Firm House Foods Firm House Foods Medium Firm O Organic Silken O Organic Sprouted Extra Firm Non organic or organic Refrigerated Shopping Tip You can buy quarts, half-gallons, or a combination when quart(s) soy beverage is printed on the WIC check

15 Whole Grain Choices Whole Grain Choices: Brown Rice Bulgur Oatmeal Soft Tortillas Whole Wheat Pasta 100% Whole Wheat Bread Shopping Tip You can choose a combination of whole grain choices up to the amount of ounces (OZ) printed on the WIC check. Bulgur 16 OZ to 32 OZ bags or boxes Bulk (sold by weight) Non organic or organic Whole Grain Choices NOT Grits Quinoa 26 Brown Rice 16 OZ to 32 OZ bags Bulk (sold by weight) Gluten free Long grain or short grain Instant or regular Non organic or organic NOT Basmati, black, jasmine, mahogany, white, or wild Boil-in-Bag Boxes Gourmet Grits Mixed rice Quinoa Oatmeal 16 OZ to 32 OZ bags or boxes Bulk (sold by weight) Cardboard cylinders Gluten free Instant or quick Non organic or organic Old-fashioned or regular Rolled or steel-cut NOT Boxes with individual packets Granola Grits Metal cylinders Pouches Quinoa Shopping Tip You can choose oatmeal in bags, boxes, bulk, or cardboard cylinders when whole grain choices is printed on the WIC check. 27

16 Whole Grain Choices Soft Tortillas Whole Wheat Pasta Whole Grain Choices NOT 8 OZ to 32 OZ bags or boxes Whole wheat Some types: Angel hair Bows Egg noodles Elbow Fettuccine Fusilli Lasagna Linguine Macaroni Penne Rigate Rotini Shell Spaghetti Spirals Vermicelli Ziti 8 OZ to 32 OZ packages White corn soft tortillas Yellow corn soft tortillas Whole wheat soft tortillas Low sodium Non organic or organic These brands and types: Celia s White Corn Celia s Whole Wheat Carlita Corn Don Pancho 6 White Corn Don Pancho 6 Yellow Corn Don Pancho White or Yellow Corn Garden of Eatin Organic Whole Wheat Great Value Corn Guerrero 100% Whole Wheat Guerrero White or Yellow Corn La Banderita White Corn La Banderita Whole Wheat La Burrita 8 Yellow Corn Mission White Corn Super Size Mission Yellow Corn Extra Thin Mission Yellow Corn Super Size Mission Whole Wheat Ortega Whole Wheat Pepito White Corn Pepito Whole Wheat Tia Rosa White Corn Tia Rosa Yellow Corn Taco Size 96% whole wheat Chips, taco salad bowls, taco shells, tostada, or any other hard tortillas Low carb Mixed-grain tortillas, such as corn and wheat together Red corn Sprouted wheat Store-made Tortillas with light or lite on the label Wraps Any type Non organic or organic These brands only: Barilla 100% Whole Wheat Best Yet Whole Wheat Da Vinci 100% Whole Wheat Essential Everyday Whole Wheat Full Circle Organic Whole Wheat Great Value 100% Whole Wheat Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Kroger 100% Whole Wheat Natural Directions Organic Whole Wheat Market Pantry 100% Whole Wheat O Organics 100% Whole Wheat Simple Truth Organic Whole Wheat Western Family Whole Wheat NOT Added flavors, foods, or seasonings 51% whole grain or whole wheat Buckwheat Bulk Fresh Gluten free Mixed grain Multi-colored Refrigerated Rice pasta Semolina Vegetable Whole grain 28 29

17 30 Whole Grain Choices 100% Whole Wheat Bread 16 OZ to 32 OZ packages 100% whole wheat (printed on the label) Loaf, plain, sliced Low sodium Non organic or organic Shopping Tip Here are some examples: Albertsons 100% Whole Wheat Country Oven Essential Everyday Franz 100% Whole Wheat Franz 100% Stone Ground Franz Big Horn Valley All Natural Franz Big Horn Valley Organic Franz Oregon Trail Fred Meyer 100% Whole Wheat Fred Meyer Tender Twist Great Value 100% Whole Wheat Haggen 100% Whole Wheat NOT Artisan or gourmet (bread baked in small batches) Breads not wrapped in plastic Breads with light or lite on the label Bagels DHA English muffins Extra fiber French Frozen or refrigerated dough Gluten free Hamburger buns Hotdog buns Multigrain Sourdough Sprouted wheat Store made Uncooked bread mixes Unsliced Haggen Stone Ground Open Nature 100% Whole Wheat Oroweat 100% Whole Wheat Oroweat Soft 100% Whole Wheat QFC 100% Whole Wheat Roman Meal All Natural Safeway Kitchens Sara Lee Classic Round Top Sara Lee Hearty & Delicious Sara Lee Delightful 100% Whole Wheat with Honey 45 Calorie Sara Lee Soft & Smooth The Bread Garden 100% Stone Ground Information for WIC Retailers WIC Customer Identification 1. The name of the person using the WIC check must be printed below the customer signature box on the check and match the identification (ID). 2. Identification must be shown when a WIC check is used. 3. A WIC Appointment/ID folder with the printed name and signature of the person using the check is all the identification needed. 4. If the WIC customer does not have their WIC Appointment/ID folder, or if it does not have their printed name and signature, use other types of ID such as: Driver s License Military ID State ID card Tribal ID card 5. WIC checks must be signed in the presence of the checker and after the actual purchase price is written on the check. 6. If the check is signed before it is presented to the checker, the WIC check cannot be used. 31

18 Information for WIC Retailers Information for WIC Retailers Important Points to Remember at the Check Stand WIC customers: Can decide if they want to buy all or some of the foods up to the amounts printed on the check. Can only buy WIC approved foods printed on the check. No substitutions are allowed. Can use manufacturer and store coupons, and loyalty cards. Are entitled to store promotions offered to all customers (for example: buy one, get one free). The buy one food must be WIC approved. The get one free does not have to be WIC approved. Cannot accept rainchecks, or come back to the store to get the items not purchased if you already completed the transaction. Cannot use WIC checks to pay a bill or an account that they have at your store. Cannot use pre-signed WIC checks. Use your best customer service skills to explain why you cannot accept a pre-signed WIC check. Tell the WIC customer they can take the check back to their WIC clinic for help or more information. Can only exchange outdated, spoiled, damaged, or defective foods for the same product. Cannot receive cash, coupons, tokens, or any item with a dollar value for returned foods. May ask you to order a WIC approved food (for example, soy beverage). Remember the customer needs to wait to use the check until you have the requested item. Paying for the food with a WIC check, and coming back to the store to pick it up is not allowed. Must sign the WIC check after the checker enters the purchase price. No signature, no payment. Can use cash, credit, debit, EBT, or other acceptable payments to pay the extra amount not covered on the WIC Fruit and Vegetable check. Must receive the same great customer service you extend to all customers. Helpful Information for Checkers We value our relationship with you! Because we work together, your store, families, and our communities benefit. Studies show WIC clients spend an additional $3 to $4 at the store for every WIC dollar spent. Each time you create positive shopping experiences for WIC customers, you help ensure moms and kids have the nutritious foods they need to be healthy at critical times in their lives. Your store has a contract with the Department of Health to accept WIC checks. The contract has many requirements that add to the challenges of your already demanding job. We re here to support you! Did you know? We offer training resources and materials to help you build your knowledge of WIC foods and skills that can ensure smooth interactions with customers. We count on you to identify WIC approved foods and process WIC transactions correctly. You are the first person WIC customers typically encounter in the store. Your treatment of customers influences their attitudes and choice of where to shop. Your attention to detail helps guarantee that your store is reimbursed for WIC purchases and promotes customer loyalty. We all deserve some privacy. Many customers are sensitive about using WIC checks. If you need assistance with the transaction, do not announce it is for a WIC transaction. Please do not share customer information with coworkers, other customers, friends, extended family of customers, or your own family. It is important to sell only WIC approved foods and correctly process WIC transactions. Mistakes are costly to you and your employer. Errors may result in repayments, fines, or termination as an approved WIC retailer. We expect WIC customers to treat store employees with politeness. We expect store employees to treat WIC customers with the same respect and courtesy as they would treat any other customer. Sometimes WIC is confusing. There are a lot of rules for customers and retailers. Sometimes the approved foods are very specific to the brand, type, or size, and other times, they are not. Use your best customer service skills to help customers select the correct items and learn which foods to select. We, and your customers, appreciate your patience and understanding. Thank you for your continued commitment to serving Washington WIC families. You make a difference! 32 33

19 34 How to Take a WIC Check 1 Getting Started Process each WIC check as a separate transaction. Ask for the check and the customer s ID. The name on the ID must match one of the names printed below the signature box. Put a check mark in the box next to the customer s name. Refuse the check if it is already signed, the customer has no ID, the customer s name is not printed below the signature box, or if the check is altered (for example, if dates or quantities are changed). Use a black or dark blue ink pen when writing on the WIC check. Write clearly. Do not use colored ink pens or gel pens. 2 Check the dates carefully Do not take checks before the First Day To Use or after the Last Day To Use. Write today s date in the Transaction Date box. 3 Sell only WIC approved foods, and the right amount of food Ring up the food printed on the check. Make sure the customer selected only WIC approved foods. Refuse to sell foods that are not WIC approved. Look at the number of items and quantities printed on the check and sell up to those amounts. It is not a requirement for WIC customers to buy everything on their check. If you have questions about WIC checks, call Total the sale Deduct the value of coupons before writing the total amount of the sale in the Actual Purchase Price box. If you make a mistake when you write the total purchase amount, you can correct it. Follow these steps: Draw one line through the incorrect amount. Clearly write the correct amount in or close to the box, and write your initials close to the new amount. Do not write or scribble over numbers, use white out, or try to erase the incorrect amount. 5 Finish the sale with their signature Have the customer sign the check in the signature box after you complete the Actual Purchase Price box. The customer must sign every check in your presence. Ask them to return the check to you. Review the check to be sure it has: Valid dates Correct Actual Purchase Price entered Customer s signature 35

20 36 How to Take WIC Fruit and Vegetable Checks Retail Checkers 1 Getting Started WIC customers may combine more than one WIC Fruit and Vegetable check in a single transaction. Ask for the check and the customer s ID. The name on the ID must match one of the names printed below the signature box. Put a check mark in the box next to the customer s name. Refuse the check if it is already signed, the customer has no ID, the customer s name is not printed below the signature box, or if the check is altered (for example, if dates or quantities are changed). Use a black or dark blue ink pen when writing on the WIC check. Write clearly. Do not use colored ink pens or gel pens. 2 Check the dates carefully Do not take checks before the First Day To Use or after the Last Day To Use. Write today s date in the Transaction Date box. 3 Sell only WIC approved fruits and vegetables This guide has information on WIC approved fruits and vegetables (see page 12). We encourage WIC customers to buy the full value of the check, but it is not a requirement. 4 Total the sale If the purchase amount is less than the value of the check, write the purchase amount in the Actual Purchase Price box. For example, if the value of the check is $8.00, and the total purchase amount is $4.50, write in $4.50. If the purchase is more than the value of the check, write the dollar value of the check in the Actual Purchase Price box. For example, if the value of the check is $8.00, and their total purchase is $9.00, the amount you write on the check is $8.00. The customer pays the additional dollar themselves, using a Washington Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Quest card, debit or credit card, check, or cash. If they pay with cash, they can receive change. If you make a mistake, you can correct it. Follow these steps: Draw one line through the incorrect amount. Clearly write the correct amount in or close to the box, and write your initials close to the new amount. Do not write or scribble over numbers, use white out, or try to erase the incorrect amount. 5 Finish the sale with their signature Have the customer sign the check in the signature box after you complete the Actual Purchase Price box. The customer must sign every check in your presence. Ask them to return the check to you. Review the check to be sure it has: Valid dates Correct Actual Purchase Price entered Customer s signature If you have questions about WIC checks, call

21 Washington State Department of Health WIC Nutrition Program We create opportunities for people with limited resources to make healthy nutrition choices. We support healthy eating, breastfeeding, access to healthy foods, and physical activity. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Washington State WIC Nutrition Program does not discriminate. DOH July 2015 For persons with disabilities, this document is available on request in other formats. To submit a request, please call (TDD/TTY 711).