The FNS Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is an initiative that is making a significant impact in the fight against hunger. This program, operated by individual states, enables SNAP recipients to use their benefits at various restaurants, including quick-service ones, to purchase prepared meals. This initiative is not just about providing food; it's about ensuring access to hot, prepared, and nutritionally balanced meals for those who might struggle to store or prepare food themselves.
By Maggie Paulk
|
SNAP For Restaurants: 3 Things You Need to Know
Learn how to accept EBT payments at your restaurant. SNAP recipients can use their EBT cards to purchase hot/prepared meals from restaurants with the Restaurant Meals Program through Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). This program is a great initiative from FNS that increases access to nutritionally balanced, prepared meals. Here are 3 of your questions, answered…
- Where is the Restaurant Meals Program available?
- As of right now RMP is only available in certain states, however there are more states that are in the process of finalizing their RMP. While this is a federally funded program, each state is in charge of operating their own program, meaning individual states determine what restaurants are eligible, who qualifies, how many restaurants they approve, and if the whole state can participate or just certain counties, so this program can vary state-to-state. Ask us if your state qualifies.
- What are the requirements to qualify?
- To qualify, a restaurant must be in a state that operates a Restaurant Meals Program, get signed approval from their state to give to FNS, and complete the FNS application and be approved. It is important to note that each state has their own requirements that determine what restaurants can participate in the program, so the requirements may vary. Please visit your state’s RMP website for more information.
- How do I apply?
RMP is a great program addition that will be influential in providing fresh meals to those who may not have access otherwise. By increasing access to hot/prepared meals via restaurants to those who may not have the means to properly store or prepare food, RMP will begin to make a huge difference in the fight against hunger.
