Welcome toSenior Project FRESH/Market

FRESH 2012Training program for Market Masters and Farmers

This training is for market masters who have partic ipated in the past. If you are new to the program, please visit:

http://www.michigan.gov/marketfresh to get details about attending a “Newbies Webinar”

What’s NEW Changes for 2012 include:

•To get reimbursed, you must have completed this training, use the Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH forms, and be registered with the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging.

•If you submit coupons with WIC forms, the coupons will be returned to you with instructions for re-submitting them.

•You must use your Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH market master number on your coupons. This number is different from your WIC number. Again, your coupons will be returned if they do not have the “senior” number on them.

•If you grow or sell Michigan grown asparagus at your market, your county’s lead agency can distribute the coupons in May.

•We are transitioning to a new name: MARKET FRESH to be effective in 2013.

•There are additional ELIGIBLE foods for older adults

•Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH use DIFFERENT COUPONS.

New Name• The current “Senior Project FRESH/Market

FRESH” will transition this year and will become “Market FRESH” for 2013.

• For 2012, we will use “Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH”.

• The new name reflects the fact that we want to focus on the fact that fresh produce is for all ages. And, most older adults don’t want to be called seniors!

What It Means for You

• You may see materials with Senior Project FRESH, Market FRESH, or Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH on them. It is all the same program.

• Your new signs will read, “Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH Welcome Here”.

More Eligible Foods

• The 2010 Nutrition Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults over 51 limit their sodium (salt) intake. To help older adults try new seasonings, we have expanded the choices that are eligible. Honey is also now available for older adults. A complete list can be found in your Quick Guide to Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH.

• Please note that dried herbs, dried fruit, spices nuts and seeds ARE NOT ELIGIBLE for purchase with the coupons. (Sorry- USDA rule).

What it Means for You

• Since WIC and Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH have different eligible items, you will want to have a reference sheet handy and instruct anyone working with you of the differences.

• Since using herbs for cooking may be new to older adults, you may want to have some information for them about how to use it, what the main taste is, “peppery”, etc. and/or include a recipe or two.

What it Means for You

• Please do not accept coupons for baked goods, jellies, jams, flowers or other items that are not listed on the eligible items sheet.

• Please educate your employees to look on the eligible items list before accepting coupons.

• We have a “secret shopper” program in place, and your market may be visited. Non-compliance with the Market Guidelines can result in termination of your agreement.

Coupons• Coupons for 2012 are gold in color.

• Eligible clients will have a gold colored folder that has been signed by themselves and/or a proxy.

• Market staff should observe the client signing the coupons and then compare the signature to the folder. Please remind your staff not to accept coupons that have not been signed during the market visit.

• Coupon denominations are still $2.00 each. Most participants will have ten, $2.00 coupons, although counties may purchase additional coupons for distribution if they wish.

• No cash change is to be given to the participant. If the total cost is $3.00, please suggest to the participant that they give you 1 coupon and $1.00, or suggest another eligible product to make it total $3.00.

Coupons• Market Masters: Please put your Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH

number on the coupon where indicated. DO NOT USE THE WIC number.

• Farmers: As soon as you have completed the transaction, write your farmer number in the appropriate box on the coupon.

• If you are representing yourself as a market master, all you need to fill out is the market master number.

•• Treat the coupon like cash! No reimbursement without the coupon.• Submit the coupons to your market master on the schedule your market

master has asked for.• You may want to keep a log of the coupon numbers and date submitted to

the market master. Remember you need to keep the coupons separate from the WIC coupons. Mixing them could delay payment.

Submitting Coupons for Reimbursement

• You may submit coupons at anytime during the season. Fill out the batch cover sheet (available on the website. You will also receive 1 in the mail. Copy as often as necessary).

• Sign the batch cover sheet.

• Mail your coupons to the address in your packet. It will be the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging.

• You may send in any quantity of coupons.

• You may send your coupons any way you like, but we suggest you insure your coupons for the total coupon value.

Submitting Coupons for Reimbursement

You will receive a schedule of payment for when checks are cut and mailed. This schedule will help you determine when to expect a check.

You must keep your information current with the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging. You can submit a change of information form at anytime.

Reimbursement instructions are available on the website, as well as in your 2012 packet.

Compliance Assessments

• The USDA requires us to visit and evaluate 10% of all farmers, markets and roadside stands.

• High risk farmers, markets and roadside stands will always be part of the 10%. (see the Guidebook for a definition of ‘high-risk’). Others are randomly chosen.

• The evaluator may appear to be a proxy for a participant, and go through the process of purchasing produce, or they may just observe and talk to some of the participants.

• At some point, the evaluator may introduce herself and ask you some questions.

Compliance Assessments

• If you are found to be out of compliance, OSA will send you a letter stating the compliance issue and what needs to be done to bring your stand or market into compliance. You will be asked to respond in writing with either a denial with explanation, or a plan to resolve the problem.

• The most common non-compliance issue is that no signs are posted informing participants they can use coupons.

Where Do People Get Coupons?• Each county has one or more lead agency(ies) that qualifies older adults

and distributes coupons.

• A list of lead agencies for each county can be found with the Quick Guide to Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH and on the website.

• A person must be at least 60 years of age, have a total household income of 185% of poverty or less, and live in the county the coupons are issued in.

• HOWEVER, they can use coupons at any participating market in the state displaying the sign.

• You may want to contact the lead agency in your county and give them materials to distribute to their participants about your market, or you may want to work together on a “Market Day”. The best redemption rates come from counties where the coupons are distributed at the market.

DATES to Remember

• May, 2012: Coupons may be accepted beginning in May.

• October 31, 2012: Last day coupons can be accepted by participating farmers/markets/roadside stands.

• November 29, 2012: Last day coupons will be accepted for payment by Office of Services to the Aging.

Civil Rights Questions

• This is a USDA program. This means that customers must be treated in an equal and fair manner. If customers have complaints or concerns, please refer them to Office of Services to the Aging, or to the USDA. Civil Rights brochures are available on the website.

Quick Review• A market master may represent themselves exclusively or may

represent other farmers.• Eligible products must be unprocessed and grown in Michigan. A

participating farmer/market master must grow most of the product they are selling.

• A list of eligible items is included in your 2012 packet, or can be downloaded at: http://www.michigan.gov/marketfresh.

• Signs stating that “Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH 2012 Accepted Here” must be displayed in a prominent place.

• Clients must sign the coupon at the point of sale. Market staff/farmer must check to make sure signature on coupon matches signature on coupon holder.

Quick Review• Farmer/market cannot give cash as change for the coupons.• Farmer/market may not charge sales tax, or charge a higher fee for Project

FRESH participants.• Market masters may submit coupons for reimbursement at any time prior to

November 30, 2012.• All coupon submissions must be sent to Office of Services to the Aging, and

must have the Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH forms with them. WIC forms will not be accepted.

• Farmers/markets must not charge sales tax, give cash change, or charge more for products sold to program participants.

• Markets may be visited by Secret Shoppers and/or a compliance officer. • Markets cited for a violation should refer to the Market Masters Guidebook

for more information on this.

Thanks

• Thanks for being part of a nationwide effort to help older adults have access to locally-grown produce!

• Questions should be directed to:Sherri KingMI Office of Services to the Agingkings1@michigan.gov517-373-4064