For Restaurants

VRMP Home

What is the VRMP?

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who are 60 or older, have a disability and/or are unhoused (and their spouses) are now eligible to use their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to purchase meals from restaurants approved by the USDA. This is a tremendous step towards fighting food insecurity for Virginia’s large population of elderly and persons with permanent disabilities who may have difficulty preparing meals for themselves. It also provides unhoused populations with the opportunity to purchase meals if they do not have a place to store and cook food.

VDSS offers your business an opportunity to increase revenue while serving your community by participating in the Restaurant Meals Program.

Why participate?

• Community Engagement: Show your commitment to the community by helping those struggling with food insecurity. Become a neighborhood favorite and foster goodwill.
• Marketing Opportunities: Participating restaurants are promoted through VDSS channels, raising your visibility and attracting more customers.
• New Revenue Stream: Receive revenue through a new source of income for your business.
• Streamlined Transactions: SNAP meal transactions happen through a dedicated point-of-sale device for a smooth purchasing experience.

Partnering with the VRMP

There are no fees to participate in the Virginia Restaurant Meals Program. However, retailers are required to have a point-of-sale (POS) system that can process debit, credit and EBT cards. Retailers are responsible for all costs associated with operating commercial POS equipment.

The steps to participate in VRMP are easy:

• Complete a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Virginia Department of Social Services.
• Submit an application to the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
• Obtain a POS machine for EBT use.

Click here to access the application materials. Once approved, FNS will send the retailer a certification number to accept SNAP benefits under the Virginia Restaurant Meals Program. If the retailer already has an FNS number, a separate number will be necessary to participate in the VRMP. Please contact VDSS with the new FNS certification number once received.

VDSS will provide Virginia Restaurant Meals Program signage for display within the restaurant.

Interested in learning more? Read about our application process or contact VRMP@dss.virginia.gov for more information.

Application Process for Restaurants

Follow the steps below to apply to be a VRMP participating restaurant:

1. Enter into an MOU agreement with the VDSS.
   • To participate in the VRMP, restaurant owners must enter into agreement with the VDSS. Restaurants owners must complete the Restaurant Agreement for each restaurant submission.
   • Forward the completed Restaurant Agreement to VRMP@dss.virginia.gov
2. Complete the VRMP Vendor application.
   • Restaurant owners must apply to the USDA-FNS to become an authorized RMP restaurant vendor. Review and complete the USDA SNAP APPLICATION (FNS 252-2) FNS 252-2 (azureedge.us) and gather all required supporting documentation, as noted in the FNS 252-2.

   Please note that you may not apply to USDA-FNS until you have been approved by VDSS and received a signed returned Restaurant Agreement.

3. Submit your VRMP application to USDA-FNS via United States Postal Service (USPS) standard mail to this address:

   Retailer Service Center
   USDA Food and Nutrition Services
   PO Box 7228
   Falls Church, VA 22040
   
   For questions about the SNAP authorization process, contact the FNS Retailer Service Center at 877-823-4369.

   • Your application package will consist of the (1) signed Restaurant Agreement (MOU) provided by VDSS, (2)the completed FNS 252-2 and (3) required supporting documentation, as noted in the FNS 252-2.

   USDA-FNS will review your RMP application package and respond with an approval, denial or further information.

   Once VDSS has completed the application package, FNS has 45 days to make an authorized decision. Contact the USDA-FNS directly for updates on the application; VDSS will not have this information.

   If the application package is denied, reach out to FNS directly at 877-823-4369 for more information.

   Once approved, the retailer must acquire a POS device SNAP-EBT-TPP-Information.pdf (azureedge.us)

   Note: RMP restaurant vendors are responsible for the cost of setting up a POS machine. In addition, the POS device must be in full operation before an announcement is made to the public on behalf of all vendors.

4. Inform VDSS of the approval.
   • Inform VDSS that FNS approved the restaurant to participate in the VRMP by emailing VRMP@dss.virginia.gov . Be sure to include your restaurant name and address in the email.

Click here for frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Flyer

• VRMP Flyer for Restaurant Owners (PDF)