Sign on to support restaurant meals program in Colorado

Sign on to support restaurant meals program in Colorado

December 14, 2023

The SNAP Advocacy for the Houseless project team of Workgroup 4: SNAP & WIC Enrollment is leading efforts to advocate for the implementation of a restaurant meals program in Colorado, which would allow certain participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to use benefits to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants and better access nutritionally balanced meals. This includes those who may struggle to buy and prepare meals in their homes like older adults, those experiencing homelessness, individuals with disabilities, and military veterans. The program also would support restaurant owners and operators by increasing revenue, in addition to growing the state’s workforce, which in turn benefits local economies and communities. 

We are grateful to the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) for their partnership in exploring what the restaurant meals program could look like in Colorado. CDHS, working closely with USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services, can apply to participate and provide technical support to a variety of restaurants – ranging from local and chain restaurants to pay-what-you-can cafes and food trucks – to become authorized to accept SNAP benefits. If Colorado chooses to implement the program, we are committed to working alongside CDHS to ensure it is equitable and sustainable. 

The Blueprint and network partners plan to send a joint letter to Governor Jared Polis seeking his support for program implementation across Colorado. We welcome other organizations to sign on by January 5, 2024. 

If interested in joining this effort or learning more, please contact Greta Allen, the Blueprint’s Policy Director.