* WIC redemptions averaged $47.70 per client during October and November 2011.

 

* WIC redemptions for December 2011 averaged $50.98 per client.

 

* WIC participation averaged around 980,000 for October, November, and December 2012, with a slight dip in December 2012.

 

* There was an average of 2.1 million transactions for October, November and December 2012.

 

* WIC Dollars redeemed in January 2012 totaled $47,373,833.78 with 971,762 participants. 

 

We have seen continued interest in the concept of instituting a small kiosk at retail locations that would enable  WIC client's to download their food prescription balance at store level. Jim Magee with JPMA (TRA affiliate member) has been actively involved in the development of this hardware and process both on agency side and with pilot projects with some of our retail members. 

 

This feature would enable  WIC customer to know their exact balance when entering the store and would have the effect of increasing benefit redemption. 

 

Currently, Texas WIC clients are only redeeming 90% of the benefits available each month. That translates to $4.5 to $ 5 million dollars lost each month. 

 

Click here to view updated redemption reports by total or category. This information can be used to help develop proper space allocation. 

 

Click here to explore ideas from the Texas WIC website that help improve redemption. 

  

Finally, after readings these ideas and reports, write down a few of your own from your personal experience. Put yourself in your WIC customers shoes and ask yourself: 

 

*How can we help WIC customers find the authorized products listed on their food prescription? 

 

*How can we make the shopping experience for WIC customers easier? 

 

*Once you have a few answers and thoughts, reply to this email and share them. 

 

We have come a long way since the old paper vouchers and with your support and valuable ideas, we will continue to make improvements in the process. 

 

 

The Texas House Committee on Public Health will begin an interim study on SNAP restrictions in March. We anticipate a policy push next session for the restriction of certain items currently available for sale to authorized WIC clients.These items could include soda, cookies, snack items, chips and candy. 

 

Click here to read a draft of talking points we used last session to defeat the legislation. Similar efforts to pass SNAP restrictions have recently been defeated in Kentucky and Florida.

 

 We advise that management teams work diligently to ensure that personnel don't create additional issues by promoting "not healthy" items as being SNAP or Food Assistance Eligible. Pictures were recently sent to the USDA/FNS of POP material displayed in chip and cookie aisles. Pictures also surfaced after Valentines Day that showed candy gift baskets being advertised as SNAP eligible.   

 

 

As we continue to get pressure from Congress to make SNAP as prescriptive as the WIC program, the USDA has asked retailers to please be conscious of promoting certain food items as being SNAP eligible. 

 

On December 22, 2011, the NLRB finalized a union rule, known as the "ambush election rule." It is set to take effect April 30, 2012. The rule will drastically alter the process and timeline for union elections, effectively limiting a grocer's opportunity to communicate their position to employees as well as the employees' opportunity to consider that position.

 

Lawsuits have been filed seeking an injunction to block the Board from implementing this rule. In addition, the Congressional Review Act (CRA) establishes special procedures for Congress to disapprove such regulations. Joint resolutions S.J. Res 36 and H.R. Res 103 have been introduced and, if enacted, would prevent the rule from taking effect. 

  

Please call today! Urge your elected officials to support the resolutions and rein in the NLRB. 

 

An easy way to take action is through N.G.A.'s Online Action Center. You only register one time, review the draft of message, personalize it, then send to your elected officials.

 

 

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We received reports from both

police and a few members that a

group is passing $100 counterfeit bills at retail stores in Texas. 

 

These are "washed" bills with the same number on all bills of HK16607358BK11. The group usually makes a small purchase, generally from $15 to $20 and then gives the counterfeit $100. 

 

Since it is a "washed" bill, the

paper is good and the pen used 

to check paper will indicate 

good paper. Please instruct 

clerks to verify currency with 

security features like watermarks, distinctive photographs and textured material. 

 

For $100 bills, those features include a watermark image of Benjamin Franklin located to the right of the large portrait of Franklin in the center of the bill. 

 

For more information from the Secret Service and tips on how to spot counterfeit money, click here.