(1) The purpose of the farmers market nutrition program (FMNP) is to:

(a) Provide access to:

(i) Locally grown, fresh, nutritious, unprepared fruits and vegetables, and fresh cut herbs to women, infants over five months of age, and children, who participate in the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC);

(ii) The WIC fruit and vegetable cash value benefit (CVB); and

(iii) The senior farmers market nutrition program (SFMNP) which includes locally grown, fresh, nutritious, unprepared fruits, vegetables, and fresh cut herbs.

(b) Expand the awareness and use of farmers markets where consumers can buy directly from the grower.

(2) The FMNP is administered by the Washington state department of health.

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly implies otherwise.

(1) "Authorized" or "authorization" means an applicant has met the selection criteria and has been issued a signed contract with the department allowing participation in the FMNP.

(2) "Authorized farm store" means a sale location at the site of agricultural production and is owned, leased, rented, or sharecropped and operated by an authorized grower where the grower sells produce directly to consumers.

(3) "Authorized farmers market" means a farmers market authorized by the department that has a minimum of five or more authorized growers who assemble at a defined location for the purpose of selling their produce directly to consumers.

(4) "Authorized grower" means an individual authorized by the department who grows at least a portion of the produce that they sell at a Washington state authorized farmers market or authorized farm store.

(5) "Benefit" means a negotiable financial instrument issued by the WIC, WIC FMNP, or SFMNP to participants to purchase eligible foods in each of these programs at farmers markets.

(6) "Broker" or "wholesale distributor" means an individual or business who exclusively sells produce grown by others. There is an exception for an individual employed by an authorized grower or nonprofit organization to sell produce on behalf of authorized growers.

(7) "Business and financial documentation" means all documents required to own and operate a business as a grower which may include, but is not limited to, banking and financial records; property sales; accounting; and product sales.

(8) "Civil monetary penalty" means a sum of money imposed by the FMNP program for noncompliance with program requirements for WIC FMNP and SFMNP.

(9) "Contract" or "agreement" means a written legal document binding the contractor and the department to designated terms and conditions.

(10) "Cut herbs" means fresh herbs with no medicinal value that are not potted.

(11) "WIC CVB" means a monthly cash value benefit which is a WIC food instrument used by a participant to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables.

(12) "Department" means the Washington state department of health.

(13) "Disqualification" means terminating the contract or agreement of an authorized farmers market, authorized grower or authorized farm store for noncompliance with WIC CVB, WIC FMNP, or SFMNP requirements.

(14) "Eligible foods" means locally grown, unprocessed (except for washing), fresh, nutritious fruits, vegetables, and cut herbs.

(15) "Electronic farmers market nutrition program (e-FMNP)" means the electronic benefits providing access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and cut herbs for WIC and senior participants.

(16) "FMNP" means the farmers market nutrition program.

(17) "Food instrument" means an e-WIC card or QR code used to obtain eligible foods.

(18) "Grower" means an individual who grows at least a portion of the produce that they sell at a farmers market or farm store that entered into an agreement with the department.

(19) "Local WIC agency" means the contracted agency or clinic where a participant receives WIC services and farmers market benefits.

(20) "Locally grown" means Washington grown or grown in an adjacent county of Idaho or Oregon.

(21) "Market manager" means an individual designated by the farmers market management or board who is responsible for overseeing the market's participation in the FMNP.

(22) "Notice of violation" means a written document given to an authorized grower or market when the department determines the vendor has not complied with program requirements, federal WIC regulations, this chapter, or a contract or agreement.

(23) "Participant" means a senior, woman, infant, or child receiving WIC CVB, WIC FMNP, or SFMNP.

(24) "Point of sale" means the location the transaction occurred between the participant and the grower.

(25) "QR code" means a quick response code used to read a participant's benefits on the senior FMNP card or WIC card, or a sticker added to the e-WIC card for WIC participants, or a quick response code available on a mobile device.

(26) "Selection criteria" means the approved standards the department uses to select growers, markets, and farm stores for WIC FMNP, CVB, and SFMNP authorization.

(27) "SFMNP" means the senior farmers market nutrition program administered by the department of social and health services.

(28) "Suspension" means the immediate stoppage of WIC FMNP, CVB, and SFMNP payments to a grower or market as a result of ongoing compliance activities or lack of federal funding.

(29) "Trafficking" means the buying or exchanging of farmers market benefits for cash, drugs, or alcohol.

(30) "WIC" means the federally funded special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.

(31) "WIC FMNP" means the WIC farmers market nutrition program administered by the department.

(32) "WIC FMNP & SFMNP benefits" means a negotiable financial instrument issued by the FMNP to participants to purchase eligible foods. Also known as "WIC & SFMNP benefits."

(1) To become authorized to participate in the FMNP, an applicant must:

(a) Apply as a farmers market on a form provided by the department;

(b) Meet the selection criteria in subsection (2) of this section;

(c) Complete training on FMNP requirements; and

(d) Receive a contract or agreement from the department signed by both the department and the applicant.

(2) Farmers market selection criteria. The applicant must:

(a) Have a designated market manager on-site during operating hours;

(b) Have been in operation at least one year. The one-year requirement may be waived by the department based on capacity and need;

(c) Be located within 20 miles of the local WIC agency;

(d) Have at least five authorized growers participating in the farmers market each year;

(e) Comply with training sessions and monitor visits; and

(f) Comply with all terms and conditions specified in the contract.

(3) The department is not required to authorize all applications. Selection is also based on community need.

(4) An authorized farmers market must reapply at the end of the current contract; however, neither the department nor the participant has an obligation to renew a contract.

The authorized farmers' market must:

(1) Comply with the FMNP requirements and the terms and conditions of their contract;

(2) Accept training and technical assistance on FMNP requirements from department staff;

(3) Provide in person training to authorized growers, market employees and volunteers on FMNP requirements including, but not limited to: Eligible foods, electronic benefits redemption procedures, civil rights requirements, and the complaint process;

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

(5) Keep a current list of authorized growers, including the authorized grower's name and business address;

(6) Ensure that WIC FMNP, SFMNP benefits, and WIC CVBs are accepted only for locally grown eligible foods;

(7) Ensure authorized growers have and display the "WIC Farmers Market Benefits Welcome Here" sign each day;

(8) Comply with federal and state nondiscrimination laws;

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

(10) Provide the department, upon request, with any information it has available regarding its participation in the WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP;

(11) Keep participant information confidential;

(12) Allow the department to monitor the authorized farmers market for compliance with FMNP requirements;

(13) Notify the department immediately if authorized farmers market operations cease; and

(14) Notify the department immediately of any authorized farmers market, authorized grower or authorized farm store suspected of noncompliance with WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP requirements.

(1) To become authorized to participate in the WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and WIC SFMNP an applicant shall:

(a) Apply as a grower on a form provided by the department;

(b) Meet the grower selection criteria in subsection (2) of this section;

(c) Complete training on WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP requirements provided by either an authorized farmers market manager or the department; and

(d) Receive a contract from the department signed by both the department and the applicant.

(2) Grower selection criteria. The applicant shall:

(a) Grow a portion of the produce they have for sale;

(b) Have the ability to accept e-FMNP transactions at the point of sale;

(c) Sell locally grown produce at either the authorized farmers market or the authorized farm store, or both as identified on the completed application; and

(d) Agree to follow the terms and conditions of the grower contract.

(3) The department is not required to authorize all applications. Selection may be based on community need as determined by the department.

(4) An authorized grower shall reapply at the end of the current contract; however, neither the department nor the participant has an obligation to renew a contract.

(1) To become authorized to participate in the WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP an applicant must:

(a) Apply as a farm store on a form provided by the department;

(b) Meet the farm store selection criteria in subsection (2) of this section;

(c) Complete training on WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP requirements provided by either an authorized farmers market manager or the FMNP; and

(d) Receive a contract from the department signed by both the department and the applicant.

(2) Farm store selection criteria. The applicant must:

(a) Be located at the site of agricultural production and grow, at that location, a portion of the produce they have for sale;

(b) Have the ability to accept WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP transactions at the point of sale;

(c) Sell locally grown produce; and

(d) Agree to follow the terms and conditions of the contract.

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

(4) The department is not required to authorize all applicants. Priority for authorization will be given to applicants located in areas defined by the department without an authorized farmers market.

The authorized grower or authorized farm store must:

(1) Comply with the WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP requirements and the terms and conditions of the contract;

(2) Accept training and technical assistance on WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP requirements and ensure that all persons working or volunteering with the authorized grower or at the authorized farm store at the location(s) specified in the contract are trained as well. Training may be provided by either a farmers market manager or the department and includes, but is not limited to: Eligible foods, benefit processing and redemption procedures, civil rights requirements, and the complaint process;

(3) Be held accountable regarding WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP purchases and requirements for the actions of all persons working or volunteering with the authorized grower or at the authorized farm store at the location(s) specified in the contract;

(4) Accept WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP benefits only for eligible foods;

(5) Accept WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP benefits only at authorized farmers markets or at authorized farm stores at the location(s) specified in the contract;

(6) Display the "WIC Farmers Market Benefits Welcome Here" sign when selling eligible foods at authorized farmers markets and authorized farm stores;

(7) Provide participants with the full amount of product for the value of the program transaction;

(8) Charge participants the same prices as other customers;

(9) Make produce available to participants that is the same quality as that offered to other customers;

(10) Comply with federal and state nondiscrimination laws;

(11) Treat participants as courteously as other customers;

(12) Cooperate with department staff in monitoring for compliance with WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP requirements and provide information on request;

(13) Reimburse the department for mishandled WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP benefits;

(14) Not collect sales tax on WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP benefit purchases;

(15) Not give cash back or tokens for purchases with WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP benefits; and

(16) Not trade, barter, or otherwise use farmers market benefits to purchase foods from other growers or pay for market fees or other business costs.

(17) Maintain a business model that promotes business integrity. The department may investigate the business integrity of a WIC vendor or applicant at any time. In its determination of business integrity, the department's considerations will include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Providing complete and truthful information in the application, correspondence, and other documents requested by the department.

(b) Cooperating with department requests to complete WIC authorization or compliance activities.

(c) Providing business and financial documentation to the department upon request.

(d) Having no uncorrected violation(s) from a previous contracting period, current disqualification, or outstanding claims owed to the department.

(e) Disclosure of any third party, agent, or broker involved in any part of the application process.

(f) Disclosure of any broker of third parties.

(1) Participants can use WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP benefits to buy locally grown, unprocessed (except for washing), fresh fruits, vegetables, and cut herbs. SFMNP participants may purchase honey.

(2) Federal regulations do not allow participants to buy the following items with WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP benefits:

(a) Baked goods;

(b) Cheeses;

(c) Cider;

(d) Crafts;

(e) Dairy products;

(f) Dried fruits;

(g) Dried herbs;

(h) Dried vegetables;

(i) Edible flowers;

(j) Eggs;

(k) Flowers;

(l) Fruit juices;

(m) Honey (allowed for SFMNP);

(n) Jams;

(o) Jellies;

(p) Meats;

(q) Nuts;

(r) Potted herbs;

(s) Seafood;

(t) Seeds; and

(u) Syrups.

(1) Authorized farmers markets, authorized growers or authorized farm stores who do not comply with federal WIC regulations, including those at 7 C.F.R. 248.16, this chapter, or a contract or agreement with the department are subject to sanctions, such as suspensions, civil monetary penalties, or disqualification. Prior to disqualification, the department must consider whether the disqualification would create undue hardships for participants.

(2) Noncompliance includes, but is not limited to:

(a) Failing to display the "WIC Farmers Market Benefits Welcome Here" sign each day when selling at authorized farmers markets or authorized farm stores;

(b) Providing unauthorized food or nonfood items to participants in exchange for the WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP benefits;

(c) Charging the department for foods not received by the participant;

(d) Providing rain checks or credit to participants in a WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP transaction;

(e) Giving change to participants for purchases made with WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP benefits;

(f) Accepting WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP benefits at unauthorized farmers markets or unauthorized farm stores;

(g) Collecting sales tax on WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP purchases;

(h) Seeking reimbursement after the transaction from participants for benefits not paid by the department; and

(i) Violating the rules of this chapter or the provisions of the contract.

(3) Authorized farmers markets, authorized growers, and authorized farm stores found in noncompliance will be notified by the department in writing.

(4) If an authorized farmers market, authorized grower or authorized farm store is subsequently found in noncompliance for the same or a similar reason, the department may impose sanctions, such as civil monetary penalties or disqualification, without giving the opportunity to correct the problem.

(5) Denials of authorizations and disqualifications are effective upon receipt of the notice of violation. When the department notifies an authorized farmers market, authorized grower or authorized farm store of any other pending adverse action that affects their authorization status in the WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP, the department must mail written notice of violation at least 15 days before the effective date of the action. The notice of violation must state what action is being taken, the effective date of the action, and the procedure for requesting an appeal hearing.

(6) The department may deny payment to an authorized grower or an authorized farm store for mishandling WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP benefits.

(7) The department may seek reimbursement from an authorized grower or authorized farm store for payments made on ineligible transactions.

(8) Civil monetary penalties must be paid to the department within the time period specified in the notice of violation. The department may refer an authorized grower or authorized farm store who fails to pay within the specified time period to a commercial collection agency.

(9) An authorized farmers market, authorized grower or authorized farm store that has been disqualified from the program may reapply at the end of the disqualification period.

(10) Any trafficking in WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP benefits in any amount must result in disqualification.

(11) An authorized farmers market, authorized grower or authorized farm store who commits fraud or other unlawful activities is liable for prosecution according to federal program regulations at 7 C.F.R. 248.10(k).

(12) The department may sanction growers for violations of WIC CVB, FMNP, and SFMNP requirements in accordance with the sanction table in the grower agreement. A violation occurs when a grower does not comply with WIC CVB, FMNP, and SFMNP requirements during the course of a single transaction involving one or more WIC CVB, FMNP, and SFMNP transactions. Sanctions may include vendor disqualification, civil monetary penalties, or both.

(1) Proceedings under this chapter shall be in accordance with chapter 246-10 WAC. If a provision of chapter 246-10 WAC conflicts with a provision of 7 C.F.R. 246.18, the federal regulation shall prevail.

(2) An authorized farmers market, authorized grower, authorized farm store or an applicant has a right to appeal denial of payment, denial of an application, civil monetary penalty or disqualification from the program.

(3) If the action being appealed is a disqualification of an authorized farmers market, the authorized farmers market must cease processing farmers market benefits for all authorized growers effective the date specified in the notice of violation.

(4) The department may, at its discretion, permit the authorized farmers market, authorized grower, or authorized farm store to continue participating in the program pending the appeal hearing outcome. The authorized grower or authorized farm store may be required to repay funds for WIC FMNP, WIC CVB, and SFMNP benefits redeemed while waiting for the outcome of the hearing, depending on the hearing outcome.

(5) A request for an appeal hearing must be in writing and must:

(a) State the issue raised;

(b) Contain a summary of the authorized farmers market's, authorized grower's, authorized farm store's or applicant's position on the issue, and indicate whether each charge is admitted, denied, or not contested;

(c) State the name and address of the authorized farmers market, authorized grower, authorized farm store or applicant requesting an appeal hearing;

(d) State the name and address of the attorney representing the authorized farmers market, authorized grower, authorized farm store or applicant if any;

(e) State the need for an interpreter or other special accommodations, if necessary; and

(f) Have a copy of the notice of violation from the department attached.

(6) A request for an appeal must be filed at the Department of Health, Adjudicative Clerk's Office, P.O. Box 47879, Olympia, WA 98504-7879. The request must be made within 28 days of the date the authorized farmers market, authorized grower, authorized farm store or applicant received the department's notice of violation.

(7) The decision concerning the appeal must be made within 60 days from the date the request for an appeal hearing was received by the adjudicative clerk's office. The time may be extended if all parties agree.