XVII. Penalties for Abuse

Farmers identified and documented as having abused the program will be sanctioned. A sanction schedule follows.

 Schedule of Program Abuses and Sanctions

Acceptance of FMNP checks for non-local fruits or vegetables

Offense	Sanction / Duration	Payment Withheld
1st	Education / Training	No
2nd	Warning	Yes
3rd	Suspension / 60 days	Yes
Additional	Suspension / 1 year	Yes

Acceptance of FMNP checks for food items other than fruits or vegetables

Offense	Sanction / Duration	Payment Withheld
1st	Warning	Yes
2nd	Suspension / 60 days	Yes
Additional	Suspension / 1 year	Yes

Charging the FMNP customer more than the price to the general public for the same food item

Offense	Sanction / Duration	Payment Withheld
1st	Education / Training	No
2nd	Warning	Yes
3rd	Suspension / 60 days	Yes
Additional	Suspension / 1 year	Yes

Exchange or refund of foods purchased with FMNP checks for cash, or non-FMNP eligible food, or other items

Offense	Sanction / Duration	Payment Withheld
1st	Warning	Yes
2nd	Suspension / 60 days	Yes
Additional	Suspension / 1 year	Yes

Acceptance of checks after the expiration date

Offense	Sanction / Duration	Payment Withheld
All	Check payment refused	Yes

Acceptance of checks for food not yet received (e.g., rain checks, IOU's)

Offense	Sanction / Duration	Payment Withheld
1st	Suspension  60 days	Yes
Additional	Suspension / 1 year	Yes

Acceptance of FMNP checks in exchange for cash or nonfood items from participant or from another farmer

Offense	Sanction / Duration	Payment Withheld
All	Suspension / 1 Year	Yes

Acceptance of FMNP checks without having a signed contract to participate in the program

Offense	Sanction / Duration	Payment Withheld
1st	Check payment refused	Yes
2nd	Suspension / 1 year	Yes

Refused State Agency representative reasonable access to market or roadside stand premises, personnel, redeemed checks on hand, or other records pertinent to the Program during business hours.

Offense	Sanction / Duration	Payment Withheld
1st	Suspension / 60 days	N/A
2nd	Suspension / 1 year	N/A

Failure to comply with Civil Rights Law (e.g., discrimination due to race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation age, disability or reprisal)

Offense	Sanction / Duration	Payment Withheld
1st	Suspension / 60 days	N/A
2nd	Suspension / 1 year	N/A

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