CALFRESH

Restaurant Meals Program

Purpose

(  ) To release a new policy

(  ) To release a new form

(  ) To convert existing policy to new writing style only – No concept changes

(X) Revision of existing policy and/or form(s).

What changed?

1.    Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) indicator when a CalFresh case discontinues.

2.    RMP access for the spouse of an elderly and/or disabled individual.

3.    Currently, all counties in California participate in RMP.

Note:  Changes are shown highlighted in grey throughout the document.

Policy

The RMP allows certain eligible participants to use their CalFresh benefits to purchase prepared meals from participating restaurants. These restaurants must have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) and be certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

RMP is available to CalFresh participants who meet at least one of the following criteria:

·         Homeless;

·         Elderly (age 60 or older) and his/her spouse; or

·         Disabled, receiving Social Security Disability, Railroad Retirement, or Cash Assistance Payments for Immigrants (CAPI) and his/her spouse.

The spouse (husband, wife, common-law husband, common-law wife) of the disabled or elderly participant is also eligible to the RMP. However, RMP eligibility does not require that the spouse be disabled or elderly.

AB 1747 IMPLEMENTATION

On January 1, 2017, Assembly Bill (AB) 1747 imposed requirements on public and private post-secondary education institutions in counties participating in RMP. Each educational institution that operates campus pantries and any qualifying food facility on campus would be required to apply to become an authorized vendor.  The education institution would also be required to provide contracting food vendors with information about the RMP. Students who receive CalFresh benefits and are eligible to RMP can use their CalFresh benefits to purchase prepared foods at RMP participating restaurants.

AB 1747 imposes colleges to apply for RMP and meet the requirements consistent with the RMP policy and procedures. Therefore, AB 1747 does not change RMP eligibility.  AB 1747 established general responsibilities for the post-secondary educational institution, including: 

·         If operating a qualifying food facility on campus, the educational institution must apply with CalFresh Program to become an authorized food vendor for the RMP.

·         If USDA authorizes a food facility operated by the educational institution to participate in the RMP, they must comply with the rules established by USDA, inform the County of the approval, enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the County, and annually inform students about the RMP.

·         Annually provide on-campus food vendors that the educational institution does not operate with information regarding RMP and how to apply with USDA to become an authorized food vendor and enter into an MOU with the County.

RESTAURANT MEALS PROGRAM INDICATOR WHEN CALFRESH IS DISCONTINUED

If the CalFresh case is discontinued, CalSAWS will retain the RMP indicator as “Yes.” The HH will still be able to purchase prepared meals at participating RMP restaurants if the HH already had RMP eligibility prior to CalFresh discontinuance and has balance on their EBT card.

Background

RMP is an optional county program. It was implemented in Los Angeles County in July 2005, based on a recommendation by the Board of Supervisors.

The RMP has three goals:

·         To make a difference in the lives of homeless, elderly, and disabled CalFresh participants;

·         To promote healthy eating habits; and

·         To provide RMP participants with a variety of healthy, low-cost prepared meal choices.

Households (HHs)/Individuals who participate in RMP in LA County can use their CalFresh benefits in all RMP participating restaurants in California.

On June 1, 2019, Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment (SSI/SSP) recipients, including the two State-funded programs, Supplemental Nutrition Benefits (SNB) and Transitional Nutrition Benefits (TNB) Programs recipients, increased the CalFresh population who can have access to healthy hot prepared meals at Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) participating restaurants.

Definitions

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS FOR RESTAURANTS:

Restaurants interested in participating in RMP must enter into an MOU with the
Los Angeles County DPSS.  The restaurant must meet the “5 – Healthy Options” mandatory requirement before signing the contract and offering

low-priced/discounted and tax-exempt prepared meals to the RMP participants. 

5 – Healthy Options

The goal of RMP is to provide a variety of low-cost, nutritious meal choices to eligible participants.  The 5-Healthy Options support the goals of RMP by increasing the availability of healthier options such as fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and water.  Restaurants must offer the following:

·         At least two fruit and/or vegetable side items;

·         Drinking water that is available at no cost to customers with a minimum serving size of 12 ounces;

·         At least one whole grain item available during all meal periods;

·         At least one discounted meal advertised special or sale-priced meal that includes the healthier options above; and

·         Display the below DPSS-RMP signage informing customers that healthier options are available as part of participation in RMP.

SAMPLE DPSS RMP SIGNAGE:

Items that do not promote the goal of RMP, such as fried foods, will not satisfy the requirements of the program.

The USDA-FNS requires all participating restaurants to comply with all rules and regulations for CalFresh acceptance and redemption. In addition, any restaurant that would like to enter an agreement with the County must complete and submit the Application for Meal Services (Form FNS 252-2) to the USDA-FNS.  The MOU is contingent upon the restaurant’s certification by the USDA to participate in the RMP.  

Detailed information about  RMP and the list of Participating Restaurants in RMP may be obtained by visiting the DPSS webpage, https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en.html and following  the steps below:

1)    Click on Food & Nutrition on the DPSS webpage.

2)    Click on the More Information & Eligibility Details about the Restaurant Meals Program link.

3)    Click on Participating Restaurants link to access the list of participating restaurants.

Note: The restaurant owners that need more detailed information and have more questions about the program functionality can access the following link on the “Doing Business With Us” webpage:

https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en/business.html

1)    Click the Doing Business With Us link.

2)    Click on More Information for Restaurant Owners link.

3)    Click on the Restaurant Owners Questions and Answers Link.

4)    Click Worksheet for Healthier Options link to obtain the worksheet.

5)    Contact us:

Verification Documents

N/A