The Baker-Polito Administration has opened a Notice of Opportunity (NOO) to strategically onboard restaurants and food trucks for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) pilot.
The Restaurant Meals Program is a state option to allow certain SNAP clients, who might not be able to prepare meals for themselves or who do not have permanent housing for storing and preparing food, to be able to buy prepared meals at restaurants with their SNAP benefits.
Any restaurant or food truck can apply for the pilot if: they are locally- and privately-owned; not part of a restaurant conglomerate or multi-unit chain (including franchises); provide counter-based service and payment, and meet the reduced-price meal requirement. Reduced price options must not be exclusive to SNAP clients to prevent possible unequal treatment of clients.
Some ways to meet the requirement include consistently offering a reduced-price meal (e.g., value menu, daily lunch special, early bird special) offering a rewards program (e.g., free meal after a certain number of purchases), or reducing all menu items by a flat percent.
SNAP clients who are eligible to participate in this program will have an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that has been coded by the state to allow their cards to be accepted at participating restaurants. An EBT card will automatically be declined if the SNAP client is not eligible.
Participating restaurants and food trucks must have a point-of-sale (POS) device that is programmed to accept EBT cards. If it’s not already a feature, Commonwealth Consulting Group can help you add EBT to your service.
Applications are being accepted through August 31, 2022. Businesses will be evaluated on a multitude of criteria, including their ability to service SNAP clients with disabilities and their commitment and ties to their local communities.
The Administration anticipates the option for clients to use their benefits at approved businesses will begin in the fall of 2022. Learn more about the NOO and RMP program at Mass.gov/SNAPRestaurants.
Note: SNAP RMP’s are already available in Maryland (Mischelle A. Williams, Director | Email: mischelle.williams@maryland.gov | Phone: 410-767-5504) and Rhode Island (Providence and Washington Counties Only | Bethany Caputo | Email: Bethany.caputo@dhs.ri.gov | Phone: 401-559-7077)