SNAP program called the Restaurant Meals Program! Too much fact?
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Nine states are opted into the program, which requires participating restaurants to sign an agreement with the state that is then authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the SNAP program. Restaurants that participate in the program were historically a small group but have since expanded, most notably in California.
California expanded its program statewide, for example, in 2021 that allowed restaurants to accept CalFresh benefits via SNAP at a swath of top fast-food chains stretching from McDonald's to Domino's Pizza to Jack in the Box.
From June 2023 to May 2025, more than $475 million in taxpayer dollars funded Restaurant Meals Program meals at fast-food establishments. During that same time period, $524 million in taxpayer funds were spent through the Restaurant Meals Program overall, meaning California accounted for more than 90% of the nation's total Restaurant Meals Program funds from June 2023 to May 2025, according to the office.
Nothing like taking advantage of a Federal Program! Just how nutritious are those meals?