1. Vermont WIC MIS/EBT Implementation Readiness Coordinator Network September 26, 2013

2. Agenda Discussion of Approved Products List (APL) with Jackie Charnley Grocer Feedback – Fruit & Veggie Benefit Redemption November – December Meetings Feedback –Ceres graphic styles Next Month Preview

3. Reprise: What is an APL? The Approved Products List (APL) for EBT lists approved WIC foods by Category and Subcategory. Example: This step is necessary for ELECTRONIC storage of the authorized food packages.

4. The Role of APL in WIC EBT – Participant (1) Ceres creates an account for each household at the time of certification and food package assignment. The account lists foods by category, subcategory and household quantity. So, a household eligible for two pounds of low-fat cheese (category cheese is 02, subcategory low-fat is 002) would be stored as: 02_002_02 The account does not list the brand or type of low-fat cheese. Families choose from the authorized brands and types at the store.

5. The Role of APL in WIC EBT – Participant (2) At the clinic, you issue a single card for accessing all participating members’ benefits stored on the EBT Host At store, when a WIC card is swiped, the grocer system queries EBT “Host” computer to check if a scanned food item is WIC eligible AND if the household has this food item in their account. Household account is “debited” for quantity of APL item(s)

6. The Role of APL in WIC EBT – Grocer (1) The Cat/Subcat items are further identified by UPC and PLU codes (i.e. specific brands/packages of cereal, milk, dried legumes) The APL Cat/Subcat list with UPC/PLU is downloaded to grocers each day/week (depending on frequency of updates) When foods are scanned, grocer system “checks” the UPC/PLU against the WIC APL database. If WIC-food, item is “stored” until end of all scanning.

7. The Role of APL in WIC EBT – Grocer (2) When WIC card is swiped, grocer system queries EBT “Host” computer to check if household is eligible for WIC food item, and what quantity Household account is “debited” for quantity of APL item(s) Grocer must get state to approve addition of new UPC products to the APL

8. From Home to Retail Delivery – APL Home delivery required limitations on brand choices Retail delivery means many more choices, but still must limit because system MUST have specific UPC/PLU codes to work. We can’t manage a system with all UPCs for all versions of canned beans from all stores! Trying to “harmonize” our APL brands with surrounding states –Our participants shop in other states. Reduce complexity for multi-state chain stores –Share the work of collecting and maintaining UPC/PLU databases

9. So Many Foods…How to Choose? Conducted participant survey to learn more about the way families shop Collected APLs from our neighboring states Visited major supermarket chains to see which forms, brands and sizes of WIC foods are already in stock

10. High Level Choices Reviewed allowable categories and subcategories Chose subcategories for general WIC food packages –Whole grain choices (tortillas, bread, rice) Chose additional subcategories for special situations –Fresh, powdered and shelf-stable goat’s milk –Single serving sizes for homeless package

11. Next – Eligible Food List for Families

12. Talking to Families About Food Choices Homework How will EBT change how you talk to families about the WIC food package? What questions do you think families will have? What materials will be useful for staff and families?

13. Reports from the field –What’s your reaction to EBT? –What are reactions to Ceres? –Any new questions or concerns? MiddleburySt JSpringfield St ABenningtonMorrisville WRJBurlingtonBarre NewportBrattleboroRutland

14. NEXT MONTH’S AGENDA What’s ahead….

15. October 24, 2013 1:00pm – 1:30pm Announcement of MIS/EBT Contractors Collection of UPCs/PLUs for VT APL Review of other state’s APL materials for participants Feedback from the Field on EBT and Approved Products List If you will miss (or have missed) the meeting, please review the meeting materials and contact us with any questions and suggestionsIf you will miss (or have missed) the meeting, please review the meeting materials and contact us with any questions and suggestions http://healthvermont.gov/wic/ReadinessCoordinatorNetwork Lynne Bortree lynne.bortree@state.vt.us Jeanne Keller jkeller@keller-fuller.com

16. SEE YOU NEXT MONTH – OCTOBER 24 – 1:00 PM