Get Fresh

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Get Fresh!
Fruits, Vegetables and WIC
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Cash Value Voucher (CVV)

• New way for WIC women and children to get fresh
  fruits and vegetables!

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Cash Value Voucher

• A voucher that is used by a WIC participant to
  buy authorized fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Has a maximum dollar amount.

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Who gets CVVs?

• Pregnant and postpartum women (whether feeding
  their babies breast milk or formula)
• Children ages 1 5.

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What can CVVs be used to buy?

• Whole or cut fresh vegetables.
• Potatoes are restricted only sweet potatoes or
  yams
• Bagged or prepackaged vegetables (including
  lettuce) are okay
• No added salts, fats, oils.
• Whole or cut fresh fruit
• Bagged or prepackaged fresh fruit is okay

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What can CVVs be used to buy?

• All fruits and vegetables must be free of added
  sugar, fats or salt.
• Nothing processed! No canned, jarred, dehydrated
  or cooked foods.

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Whats the deal with potatoes?

• Federal Regulations do not allow potatoes.
• Recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM)
  based on amounts suggested by the Dietary
  Guidelines for Americans for consumption of
  starchy vegetables.

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Whats the deal with potatoes?

• Food intake data shows that consumption of
  starchy vegetables meets or exceeds the
  recommendations, and
• White potatoes are the most widely used
  vegetable.
• Purpose of WIC is to provide supplemental
  nutrition through foods that may not be
  adequately consumed without the program.

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Whats the deal with potatoes?

• WIC participants may use CVVs to purchase sweet
  potatoes and/or yams.
• These are not as commonly consumed and are not
  included in the starchy vegetables category.

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Show me the money.

• 10
• Exclusively Breastfeeding Woman
• 15 if multiple babies
• 8
• Pregnant Woman
• Partially Breastfeeding Woman
• Postpartum
• 6
• Child

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Now where do I shop?

• WIC-approved Stores
• Authorized growers at Farmers Markets
• Participants receive lists of markets from WIC
• Authorized growers post signs at the markets

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CVVs at Farmers Markets

• Arizona is the only state in the nation allowing
  authorized farmers to accept CVVs starting
  October 1!
• Farmers must participate in the FMNP to be
  authorized to accept CVVs.
• Farmers accept the CVVs at the same markets that
  are approved for FMNP.

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Sample Market Maps
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Tools

• Food List
• Price Chart
• ID Folder

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Food List

• Describes eligible foods
• Explains how to redeem food instruments and CVVs
  
• Given to each participant by WIC agencies

Price Chart (page 9 of food list)

• Helps participants calculate cost of fruits
• and vegetables before paying

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Transactions

• When paying for purchases, participants separate
  WIC items from non-WIC items.
• WIC Foods purchased with FIs are grouped
  together. WIC FIs may NOT be used at farmers
  markets.
• Fruits and Vegetables purchased with CVVs are
  grouped together.
• These will be separate transactions.

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ID Folder

• As in any WIC transaction, participant must show
  their WIC ID Folder when using CVVs to buy
  fruits and vegetables.
• Cashiers and farmers are trained to compare
  signature on ID folder with signature on CVV.

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First and Last Date to UseMust be used within
this period of time.
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Actual Date of Useand Total AmountCashier or
Farmer completes these items.
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Participant SignatureParticipant signs after
date and amount have been entered.
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How (Hint)

• If total price of fruits and vegetables exceeds
  voucher value, participants may pay the
  difference with another form of payment as
  allowed by the vendor.
• Many WIC Approved stores allow multiple tender
  transactions.
• All Farmers Markets allow multiple tender
  transactions.

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• Participants may put something back if they
  exceed the limit and the vendor does not allow
  them to pay the difference.

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Tips

• When talking to clients about CVVs, remind them
  that
• Pre-cut and bagged assortments are allowed but
  may be more costly. Pre-cut items not available
  at farmers markets.
• Weigh and estimate the cost ahead of time. Final
  weight will be determined at the register.

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Tips

• When talking to clients about CVVs, remind them
  that
• In-season fruits and vegetables tend to be
  cheaper and taste the best.
• CVVs, FMNP coupons, and cash may be used in one
  transaction at all farmers markets. Many accept
  food stamps as well.
• CVVs may be combined with other forms of payment
  at many WIC approved stores.

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Harvest Calendars

• Show when each fruit or vegetable is in season in
  Arizona.
• Can be ordered by WIC clinics to give to
  participants.

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Questions?