(1) To become authorized to accept fruit and vegetable vouchers as distributed by a health care system under WAC 246-770-050, a retailer must:

(a) Apply as a retailer on a form provided by the department including documentation that the retailer meets the following criteria:

(i) Have a point-of-sale mechanism that allows either automated or manual tracking and redemption of fruit and vegetable vouchers;

(ii) Have a designated staff member on-site during operating hours that has completed all required fruit and vegetable voucher training; and

(iii) Sells fresh fruits and vegetables.

(b) Complete all required trainings on fruit and vegetable vouchers requirements offered by the department; and

(c) Execute a contract with the department.

(2) The department is not required to authorize all applicants. Selection is based on available funding and community need and preferences.

(3) An authorized retailer must reapply at the end of the contract period; however, neither the department nor the participant has an obligation to renew a contract.

(4) An authorized retailer must, at a minimum:

(a) Comply with the fruit and vegetable voucher requirements and the terms of their contract;

(b) Accept annual training and other technical assistance on fruit and vegetable voucher requirements from department staff;

(c) Provide training to employees and volunteers on fruit and vegetable vouchers requirements including, but not limited to, eligible foods, redemption procedures, data tracking and evaluation requirements;

(d) Be accountable for the actions of employees and volunteers;

(e) Ensure fruit and vegetable vouchers are redeemed only once;

(f) Comply with federal and state nondiscrimination laws;

(g) Ensure that participants receive the same courtesies as other customers;

(h) Promptly provide the department, upon request, with any information it has available regarding its participation in accepting fruit and vegetable vouchers;

(i) Allow the department to share information about the retailer related to fruit and vegetable vouchers with program partners and in public reports;

(j) Allow the department to monitor the retailer for compliance with fruit and vegetable voucher requirements and fiscal recordkeeping;

(k) Notify the department immediately if the retailer's operations cease; and

(l) Comply with department instructions with respect to the program.

(5) Authorized retailers that do not comply with requirements in this chapter are subject to termination of their contract. Noncompliance includes, but is not limited to:

(a) Violating the provisions of the contract; or

(b) Accepting fruit and vegetable vouchers without having a signed contract with the department.

(6) Prior to contract termination, the department must consider whether termination of a contract would create undue hardships to participants.

(7) Any trafficking in fruit and vegetable vouchers in any amount will result in termination of a contract.

(8) An authorized retailer that has a terminated contract may reapply for reauthorization.