Sen. Joni Ernst introduced a bill aiming to prevent SNAP benefits from being used at fast food restaurants, citing the program’s intended purpose as providing nutrition rather than “nuggets with a side of fries.” The legislation comes amid growing concerns over how taxpayer funds are being spent on fast food through a loophole established in 1977.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), designed to support financially vulnerable Americans, originally focused on staple foods for home preparation. A 1977 loophole allowed states to opt into the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), which enables individuals without kitchens access to prepared meals. This program expanded over the years to include disabled individuals, the elderly, and their spouses, according to Ernst’s office.
Nine states—Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia—are currently opted into the RMP, with California alone accounting for 90% of the program’s funds from June 2023 to May 2025. During this period, more than $475 million in taxpayer dollars were spent on meals at fast-food establishments, including McDonald’s and Domino’s Pizza, through CalFresh benefits.
Ernst emphasized that “‘N’ in SNAP stands for nutrition—not nuggets with a side of fries—” and criticized the program’s expansion, stating, “$250 million per year at the drive-through is no joke and a serious waste of tax dollars.” The bill seeks to close this loophole, which has allowed states to fund fast food purchases despite the program’s original intent.
The debate over SNAP funds remains unresolved, with critics arguing that such spending undermines the program’s core mission while supporters claim it provides critical support for those in need.