Home > Cross Programs > Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) > RMP Overview
Overview
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is a state option that allows certain eligible households to use their SNAP benefits to purchase meals at approved restaurants. RMP expands food options to certain DTA households who may have barriers to preparing and cooking food for themselves, such as having inadequate access to a kitchen space or necessary cooking equipment.
DTA was approved to operate the RMP state option in 2022.
Important |
DTA clients eligible for RMP will not be able to use their SNAP benefits and/or cash benefits at selected RMP restaurants until the restaurant has been authorized and onboarded. |
Household Eligibility
To be eligible to purchase meals at RMP-participating restaurants, SNAP households must include a grantee or household member who is:
Homeless; and/or
Federally certified disabled; and/or
60 years or older.
Important |
While SNAP households have to meet certain criteria to be eligible to purchase restaurant meals with their SNAP benefits, any household receiving cash benefits from DTA may purchase meals with their cash benefits at MA RMP-approved restaurants. If a combo case household meets the RMP eligibility criteria for SNAP households, they may use both their SNAP and cash benefits at MA RMP-approved restaurants. |
Restaurant Meal Purchases
Meals offered at participating restaurants average $11 per meal. Meals purchased with an EBT card, at RMP-participating locations, are not subject to meals tax.
SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay for gratuity.
Participating Restaurants
Restaurants have to apply and receive both DTA and USDA-FNS approval in order to participate as an RMP vendor. DTA has selected a small cohort of restaurants from the first application period (Summer 2022) to participate in the agency’s pilot phase of the RMP.
The Department selected a combination of restaurants and food trucks across priority communities in the Commonwealth. Food insecurity, accessibility, cultural competency, equity, meal value, and location were the elements used to evaluate and make the selections.
Select restaurants have received state and federal approval, and are able to accept purchases with the use of an EBT card (for eligible households):
Business Name |
City/Town |
Business Type |
La Parada Dominican Kitchen |
Roxbury, MA 02119 |
Brick & Mortar |
Bella Isla Café |
Chelsea, MA 02150 |
Brick & Mortar |
Sabrosa Venezuela |
Worcester, MA 01604 |
Brick & Mortar and Food Truck |
Faneek's Coney Island |
Fall River, MA 02724 |
Brick & Mortar |
Bridge Pizzeria |
Revere, MA 02151 |
Brick & Mortar |
New Wine Pizza |
Worcester, MA 01603 |
Brick & Mortar |
Please visit mass.gov/SNAPrestaurants to see a complete list of restaurants including those that are currently operating and those that are pending federal approval.
Important |
RMP-eligible households are not limited to make purchases at restaurants within their catchment area. Eligible clients may make purchases at any approved RMP-participating restaurant in Massachusetts. |
After the pilot phase, future restaurant application periods and onboarding will be determined based upon available resources and capacity.