April 2015 Food List Implementation Arizona WIC Partner’s Meeting January 15, 2015 Karen Henry MS, RDN
Overview Food List Changes Implementation Plan Materials/ tools needed
Major additions Yogurt Whole wheat pasta (new grain option) Any brand, any variety canned beans
Yogurt 1 quart of yogurt can be substituted for 1 quart of milk in all children and women packages Dangling quart packages will no longer be standard Whole fat yogurt is authorized only for children less than 2 years of age (C1s) Low-fat and non-fat yogurts are authorized for all children (C1-C4) and women yogurt
Whole Wheat Pasta Added as an additional 16 oz grain option. Checks will read for example: 16 OUNCES (1 PACKAGE – 16 OZ ONLY) WIC APPROVED BREAD, BROWN RICE, WHOLE WHEAT PASTA, OR TORTILLAS (WHOLE WHEAT OR CORN)
Potatoes In 2009, the Institute of Medicine recommended that potatoes be excluded from the WIC food package since the WIC population already eats enough white potatoes, this opinion has not changed New legislation recently passed (Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act) indicates no fruits or vegetables should be excluded from WIC – All state’s must allow all types of potatoes by July 1, 2015 – AZ will implement this on April 1, 2015 We removed white potatoes from the can not buy side of the food list Starting April 1, 2015 staff can tell participants that they can buy “any” vegetable Nutritional Services Workgroup is going to come up with some talking points if participants have questions
A few new clarifying pointers New anti- discrimination statement
New page New
New soy milk
New
New section
All kinds of potatoes are now allowed
Canned beans now any brand, any variety
Adding back Rice Chex (since now an 18 oz. box available)
Juice sections rearranged
ITCA only section Removed statement that coupons cannot be used for formula
Implementation Plan
Implementation plan April 1 st 2015 will start issuing new foods Will not have to change packages to have whole wheat pasta listed as a grain Will have to change packages to get yogurt – Standard packages with yogurt will be added to the Standard Menu – For special packages: “compatible package tool” will be available
Implementation continued For popular special packages, will have “compatible package tool” spreadsheet with compatible package with yogurt Food Package: Description Corresponding Food Package with yogurt: Description AZxxxxxx PEDIASURE W/ FIBER,108 BTL,NO YOGURT,WH MILK,0 CHS,C1 AZxxxxxx PEDIASURE W/ FIBER,108 BTL,ALL FOODS,WH MILK,0 CHS,C1 AZxxxxxx PEDIASURE W/ FIBER,108 BTL,NO YOGURT,WH MILK,1 CHS,C1 AZxxxxxx PEDIASURE W/ FIBER,108 BTL,ALL FOODS,WH MILK,1 CHS,C1 AZxxxxxx PEDIASURE W/ FIBER,60 BTL,NO YOGURT,WH MILK,0 CHS,C1 AZxxxxxx PEDIASURE W/ FIBER,60 BTL,ALL FOODS,WH MILK,0 CHS,C1
Implementation continued Participants with checks printed prior to April will have option to come back to the clinic and switch out April and onward checks for the new package
Materials
Materials/ Tools New Food List WIC Food Menus Compatible Package with Yogurt Spreadsheet Other materials? Azxxxxxx PEDIASURE W/ FIBER,108 BTL,NO YOGURT,WH MILK,1 CHS,C1 Azxxxxxx PEDIASURE W/ FIBER,108 BTL,ALL FOODS,WH MILK,1 CHS,C1