SNAP Benefits Maps Show States Impacted by Proposed Fast Food Ban
Summary
A new bill introduced by Republican Representative Brandon Gill aims to stop some low-income Americans from using SNAP benefits to buy fast food. The bill would end a program in nine states that lets certain SNAP users buy prepared meals at restaurants like McDonald’s and Burger King.Key Facts
- The bill is called the Ending Restaurant Purchases with SNAP Act.
- The bill targets the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), which allows some SNAP recipients to buy hot meals at approved restaurants.
- The RMP is only available in nine states: Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia.
- About 37 million people receive SNAP benefits nationwide.
- The bill would keep exceptions for meals provided by public and nonprofit groups to elderly and disabled people.
- Representatives Gill and Ernst said over $524 million in SNAP benefits were spent at fast-food restaurants in the RMP states from June 2023 to May 2025.
- The SNAP program generally aims to help people buy nutritious food, and this bill is part of efforts to encourage healthier food choices.
- Some large fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut participate in the RMP.
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