Food Package Regulations

7 CFR Part 246.10

Required: Split tender no earlier than October 1, 2014, and no later than April

1, 2015

CVV for children increase to $8 per month (required) no earlier than May 5, 2014, and no later than June 2, 2014

All other required provisions must be implemented no later than October 1, 2014

Options: Yogurt no earlier than April 1, 2015

CVV substitution option for infants 6 through 11 months of age

CPA allowed to issue authorized soy-based beverage or tofu to children no earlier than October 1, 2014

Final Rule Implementation Dates

Infants 6 to 12 mo. substitute fresh bananas at a rate of 1 lb of banana per 8 oz. of jarred infant food fruit, up to a maximum of 16 oz. (ounce)or substitute fresh bananas at a rate of 1 banana per 4oz. of jarred infant food fruit, up to a maximum of 16 oz. (piece/count)

Infants 9 mo. through 12 mo.Cash-value voucher to purchase FRESH fruits and vegetables in lieu of a portion of the commercial jarred infant food fruits and vegetables ($ value)

SAs may opt to implement both options

State Agency Options for Infants

Infants in Food Pkg II or III

6 to 12 mo. May receive bananas by a count or ounces and will still receive portion of jarred infant F/V (ounces)

9 mo. To 12 mo.May receive banana substitution (noted above) ANDCash-value voucher for FRESH fruits and vegetables and will still receive portion of jarred infant F/V (ounces)

Split tender is required no later than April 1, 2015

SA Considerations for Options

Purpose for this segment:To discuss the technical aspects related to EBT implementation of the the WIC Final Food Package rule

Optional Substitutions Allowed: 1. Yogurt for milk2. Cash Value Voucher for jarred infant fruit &

vegetables3. Fresh Banana options for jarred infant fruit

Food Package and EBT

Yogurt

◦ Treat like Cheese/tofu with a separate Food Category and subcategories

◦ Be aware that whole and lowfat yogurts must be managed for different food packages. Establish subcategories by fat content Select yogurt substitution from clinic, not at store

◦ Unit of measure – gallons for fluid milk Yogurt is sold in ounces

Food Package and EBT

$4 or $8 Cash Value Benefit for fresh F/V in Lieu of Jarred Infant Fruit and Vegetables◦ This one is easy – A State agency will issue using

Category 19, subcategory 001 fresh fruit or vegetables

◦ Not all State agencies currently issue to subcat 001because frozen, canned or dried may be issued.

◦ This may be combined with other CVB if fresh only.

◦ We do not see any issues in the current integrated cash registers

Food Package and EBT

Banana Substitution◦ Since 2009, we’ve sought a potential solution to

no avail◦ A fundamental Operating Rule - a food item can

reside in only one Food Category at a time.◦ Category 12 with a unit of jar or ounce◦ Category 19 Cash Value fruit & vegetables with

unit of $◦ Changing this Operating Rule could have

significant system and cost implications for every cash register now programmed for WIC EBT

Food Package and EBT

Banana Substitution (continued) Two Potential Solutions

1. Convert the bananas to CVB equivalent with a unit in $. 2 pounds of fresh banana X average price, or Up to four bananas (medium sized) X average price Issue as Subcategory 005 Infant bananas State agency must establish the average price

2. Issue bananas in pounds or as an individual banana (up to 4) Issue to Subcategory 005 Bananas are usually sold by random weight so an exception

process has to be developed in lane for individual bananas If pounds, the excess weight cannot be handled by aggressive

redemption functionality

Food Package and EBT