Restaurant Meals Program Reform Act of 2025
Summary
The Restaurant Meals Program Reform Act of 2025 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, modifying the restaurant meals program within SNAP. It aims to restrict program participation to retail food stores with prepared food sections, hot bars, or deli counters, excluding fast-food establishments. The bill also mandates specific nutritional requirements for eligible meals and requires detailed reporting on program participation and costs.
Expected Effects
The act will likely change the types of establishments where SNAP benefits can be used for prepared meals. It will also add nutritional requirements to those meals. Furthermore, it will increase transparency through public reporting on the program's operation.
Potential Benefits
- Improved Nutritional Value: Requires meals to include at least one fruit or vegetable and one protein.
- Focus on Retail Food Stores: Shifts the program away from fast-food restaurants.
- Increased Transparency: Mandates public reporting on program participation, costs, and effectiveness.
- Streamlined Authorization: Simplifies authorization for retail food stores already authorized under section 9.
- EBT System Updates: Ensures EBT systems are updated to restrict redemption to eligible households.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Limited Options: Restricts choices for SNAP recipients by excluding fast-food restaurants.
- Spousal Exclusion: Excludes spouses of eligible individuals from participating in the program.
- Potential for Increased Costs: Retail food stores may have higher prices than fast-food restaurants.
- Implementation Challenges: Updating EBT systems and retailer coding may present logistical difficulties.
- Reduced Flexibility: The new nutritional requirements may limit the types of meals available.
Constitutional Alignment
The Restaurant Meals Program Reform Act of 2025 appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). Congress has the power to regulate and provide for social programs like SNAP. The act does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or liberties.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).