Your favorite restaurants could soon accept SNAP benefits—here’s what you need to know!
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Imagine enjoying a hot meal at your favorite local restaurant, paid for with your SNAP benefits.
For many Americans—especially seniors, those with disabilities, and individuals experiencing homelessness—this could soon become a reality.
A new bill moving through the legislature could dramatically expand access to prepared meals for SNAP recipients, changing the way millions experience food assistance.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has long provided vital support to low- and no-income households across the US.
In Colorado alone, about 584,500 people—or 10% of the state's population—relied on SNAP benefits in 2024.
However, strict rules mean benefits can typically only be used to purchase unprepared grocery items—no hot meals, no ready-to-eat dishes.
This limitation can be a major hurdle for those who don't have access to a kitchen or the ability to cook.
The proposed Colorado bill would change that by requiring the state’s Department of Human Services to apply for the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), a federal initiative that allows SNAP recipients to use their benefits at participating restaurants for hot, prepared foods.
In a rare show of unity, the bill has garnered bipartisan support. Democratic state Senator Iman Jodeh and Representative Yara Zokaie have teamed up with Republican state Senator Rod Peyton to champion the measure.
Representative Zokaie emphasized why this matters, “Access to a prepared meal is so crucial to a family's well-being. And when you have older adults, people struggling with a disability someone going through homelessness, they are not going to have access to a kitchen, they are not necessarily going to be able to prepare food for themselves. That's something that isn't a Republican or Democrat issue, it's something we can all get behind and say this is a priority for our state.”
This initiative is about more than food—it's about dignity, independence, and health.
Currently, only nine states participate in the RMP: Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia.
Colorado hopes to join this list, expanding meal choices for its most vulnerable populations.
If the bill becomes law, eligible restaurants could voluntarily opt into the program, giving SNAP recipients far more flexibility to enjoy nutritious, prepared meals without the burden of cooking.
The legislation recently passed its third reading in the Colorado Senate on April 21 and has now been introduced in the House, where it was referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services. Supporters are hopeful it will continue moving forward.
While this proposal expands choices for recipients, it's worth noting that SNAP rules are under growing scrutiny nationwide.
Some states have submitted waivers to the USDA in recent weeks, aiming to restrict SNAP purchases of items like soda and candy to encourage healthier eating.
At the same time, programs like RMP highlight the need to expand flexibility for those unable to cook for themselves, balancing autonomy and nutrition in policy discussions.
Read more:
Would you support being able to use SNAP benefits at restaurants? How could this change impact you or someone you know? Share your thoughts, stories, and experiences in the comments below. Let's keep the conversation going about how we can build a stronger, more supportive community.
For many Americans—especially seniors, those with disabilities, and individuals experiencing homelessness—this could soon become a reality.
A new bill moving through the legislature could dramatically expand access to prepared meals for SNAP recipients, changing the way millions experience food assistance.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has long provided vital support to low- and no-income households across the US.
In Colorado alone, about 584,500 people—or 10% of the state's population—relied on SNAP benefits in 2024.
A new bill moving through the legislature could dramatically expand access to prepared meals for SNAP recipients. Image source: FOX31 Denver / YouTube
However, strict rules mean benefits can typically only be used to purchase unprepared grocery items—no hot meals, no ready-to-eat dishes.
This limitation can be a major hurdle for those who don't have access to a kitchen or the ability to cook.
The proposed Colorado bill would change that by requiring the state’s Department of Human Services to apply for the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), a federal initiative that allows SNAP recipients to use their benefits at participating restaurants for hot, prepared foods.
In a rare show of unity, the bill has garnered bipartisan support. Democratic state Senator Iman Jodeh and Representative Yara Zokaie have teamed up with Republican state Senator Rod Peyton to champion the measure.
Representative Zokaie emphasized why this matters, “Access to a prepared meal is so crucial to a family's well-being. And when you have older adults, people struggling with a disability someone going through homelessness, they are not going to have access to a kitchen, they are not necessarily going to be able to prepare food for themselves. That's something that isn't a Republican or Democrat issue, it's something we can all get behind and say this is a priority for our state.”
This initiative is about more than food—it's about dignity, independence, and health.
Currently, only nine states participate in the RMP: Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia.
Colorado hopes to join this list, expanding meal choices for its most vulnerable populations.
If the bill becomes law, eligible restaurants could voluntarily opt into the program, giving SNAP recipients far more flexibility to enjoy nutritious, prepared meals without the burden of cooking.
The legislation recently passed its third reading in the Colorado Senate on April 21 and has now been introduced in the House, where it was referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services. Supporters are hopeful it will continue moving forward.
While this proposal expands choices for recipients, it's worth noting that SNAP rules are under growing scrutiny nationwide.
Some states have submitted waivers to the USDA in recent weeks, aiming to restrict SNAP purchases of items like soda and candy to encourage healthier eating.
At the same time, programs like RMP highlight the need to expand flexibility for those unable to cook for themselves, balancing autonomy and nutrition in policy discussions.
Read more:
Would you support being able to use SNAP benefits at restaurants? How could this change impact you or someone you know? Share your thoughts, stories, and experiences in the comments below. Let's keep the conversation going about how we can build a stronger, more supportive community.
