Bill > HR6657

This bill, titled the "Restaurant Meals Program Reform Act of 2025," amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to reform the Restaurant Meals Program, which allows certain eligible individuals receiving food assistance benefits, such as those from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), to purchase prepared meals from authorized restaurants. The bill clarifies that participating establishments must be retail food stores with a prepared food section, hot bar, or deli counter, and not primarily engaged in selling fast food, while still meeting food safety standards. It specifies that eligible meals must be for immediate consumption and include at least one fruit or vegetable and one protein. The bill also streamlines the authorization process for these stores, ensuring they don't need a separate permit to participate in this program if already authorized as a retail food store, and mandates that Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems be updated to restrict benefits to eligible households. Importantly, it introduces a spousal exclusion, meaning a spouse of an individual eligible for SNAP benefits will not be eligible to participate in this specific restaurant meals program. Finally, the bill requires the Secretary to publicly report on various aspects of the program's effectiveness, including the number of participating establishments and individuals, benefit redemption amounts, program costs, and overall effectiveness.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6657/all-info