Bill Summary
The "Restaurant Meals Program Reform Act of 2025" seeks to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to improve the Restaurant Meals Program, which allows certain individuals to use benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to purchase meals from authorized restaurants. Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Eligibility Criteria for Restaurants**: The bill specifies that restaurants must operate a prepared food section, hot bar, or deli counter, and cannot primarily sell quick-service or fast-food items. Additionally, they must comply with local health and safety standards.
2. **Eligible Meals**: Benefits can only be redeemed for meals that are ready for immediate consumption and must include at least one fruit or vegetable and one protein.
3. **Authorization Process**: Retail food stores authorized to participate in SNAP will not need separate authorization to take part in the Restaurant Meals Program. This simplifies the process for restaurants wishing to participate.
4. **Data Reporting**: The bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to report publicly on key metrics related to the program, including the number of participating establishments, the amount of benefits redeemed, and the overall costs and effectiveness of the program.
5. **Exclusion of Spouses**: Notably, the legislation stipulates that a spouse of an eligible SNAP beneficiary cannot participate in the Restaurant Meals Program.
Overall, this reform aims to enhance access to meal options for SNAP beneficiaries while ensuring better nutritional standards and tracking of program effectiveness.
Possible Impacts
The "Restaurant Meals Program Reform Act of 2025" could affect people in several ways. Here are three examples:
1. **Increased Access to Nutritious Meals**: By requiring that meals redeemed through the program contain at least one fruit or vegetable and one protein, the legislation encourages eligible participants to choose healthier meal options. This could lead to better nutrition and health outcomes for individuals who rely on benefits, particularly those with limited access to cooking facilities.
2. **Expanded Participation of Retail Food Stores**: The amendment streamlines the authorization process for retail food stores to participate in the program, allowing more establishments to offer eligible meals. This could lead to increased choices for beneficiaries, making it easier for them to find convenient meal options in their communities, especially in areas where traditional grocery stores may not be accessible.
3. **Data Transparency and Accountability**: The requirement for the Secretary to report publicly on the program's effectiveness, including details on participating establishments and benefits redeemed, promotes transparency and accountability. This could foster public trust and ensure that the program is serving its intended purpose effectively, potentially leading to further reforms or improvements based on the data collected.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6657 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6657
To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to reform the restaurant
meals program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 11, 2025
Mr. Messmer introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to reform the restaurant
meals program, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Restaurant Meals Program Reform Act
of 2025''.
SEC. 2. RESTAURANT MEALS PROGRAM.
Section 9(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2018(h)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``determines that the
participation'' and inserting the following:
``determines that--
``(A) the private establishment is a retail food
store that--
``(i) operates a prepared food section, hot
bar, or deli counter;
``(ii) is not primarily engaged in the sale
of quick-service or fast-food items, as
determined by the Secretary; and
``(iii) meets all State and local food
safety and health standards applicable to
grocery stores or supermarkets; and
``(B) the participation'';
(2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (6);
(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Eligible meals.--Benefits may be redeemed under the
program under this subsection from a private establishment
described in paragraph (2)(A) only for meals from a prepared
food section, hot bar, or deli counter that--
``(A) are intended for immediate consumption; and
``(B) contain at least--
``(i) 1 fruit or vegetable; and
``(ii) 1 protein, as defined by the
Secretary.
``(4) Single authorization.--
``(A) In general.--A retail food store authorized
under section 9 shall not be required to obtain a
separate authorization for participating in the program
under this section.
``(B) EBT systems.--The Secretary shall ensure that
State agencies maintain or update EBT card coding and
retailer coding systems necessary to restrict
redemption of benefits under this subsection to
eligible households.
``(5) Spousal exclusion.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Act, a spouse of an individual eligible for
benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program
shall not be eligible to participate in the program under this
subsection.''; and
(4) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated), by striking
``Senate a report on the effectiveness of a'' and inserting the
following: ``Senate, and make publicly available, a report
describing--
``(A) the number of private establishments
participating in the program under this subsection;
``(B) for each private establishment participating
in the program under this subsection--
``(i) the name and location of the private
establishment; and
``(ii) the amount of benefits redeemed at
the private establishment;
``(C) the number of individuals receiving benefits
under the program under this subsection;
``(D) the costs of the program under this
subsection; and
``(E) the effectiveness of the''.
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