Pursuant to changes in the Agricultural Act of 2014, this proposed rule will amend the SNAP regulations by requiring State agencies to submit annual Restaurant Meal Program (RMP) operations plans and reports. It is a goal of the legislation and FNS that State agency operators of the RMP regularly assess programs against need; determine if it is effective at meeting the needs of the elderly, disabled, and homeless; monitor the RMP for possible fraud and abuse; and justify the continued operation of the program. Additionally, pursuant to changes in the Agricultural Act of 2014 at section 4012, SNAP benefits are now allowed to be accepted by agricultural producers who market directly to consumers in advance of food delivery. This proposed rule will codify statutory language that allows SNAP recipients to use their benefits to purchase shares of food from Community Supported Agriculture programs operated by for-profit agricultural producers, as well as nonprofit food buying cooperatives. 

Stakeholders include States who operate or are interested in operating state-option restaurant meals programs for the impacted community which includes elderly, disabled, and homeless SNAP participants unable to prepare meals.  Stakeholder engagement for section 4012 includes agricultural producers and non-profit cooperatives that accept SNAP payment in advance of delivery for agriculturally produced items; this same community (agricultural producers and non-profit cooperatives offering products through the community supported agriculture model) and SNAP participants, are impacted by the rule. Engagement includes on-going technical assistance and feedback occurring as States stand up restaurant meals programs for the target population, and regularly occurring listening sessions and other interactions with the agricultural community associated with their SNAP participation.