27 MA Restaurants, Food Trucks Will Soon Accept SNAP Food Benefits

MASSACHUSETTS — Some recipients of SNAP food benefits will soon be able to buy hot, prepared foods at select restaurants and food trucks across the state under a new program.

The state Department of Transitional Assistance Thursday revealed a list of 27 restaurants and food trucks that have been selected to participate in the program. The eateries still need to attain federal certification before accepting SNAP benefits, but recipients could start purchasing food by the fall, state officials said.

In general, federal rules prohibit SNAP recipients from buying food that is already prepared. But people who have trouble cooking — including people who are disabled, homeless or over age 60 — will be eligible under the program to use food benefits at the select restaurants.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture allows states to join the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program. Massachusetts will join California, Illinois, Maryland, Rhode Island, Arizona, Michigan and Virginia as the only states with restaurant meal programs.

"These selected restaurants and food trucks are diverse and strong focal points in their communities, dedicated to providing their neighbors with access to delicious and healthy food that is also nourishing and familiar to people from around the world," Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh said in a news release Thursday. "This approach to the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program pilot centers on serving low-income individuals and families to help address nutrition, health, and economic inequities."

These are the 27 restaurants and food trucks where residents can buy food with SNAP under the pilot program:

Restaurants

• Las Delicias Colombiana, Revere
• La Parada Dominican Kitchen, Roxbury
• El Taller, Lawrence
• Bella Isla Café, Chelsea
• Vejigantes Restaurant, Boston
• Merengue Restaurant, Roxbury
• Café Reyes, MA
• Thmor Da Restaurant, Revere
• Cedar's Food Mart, Springfield
• Fresh Food Generation, Boston
• Soleil Restaurant, Roxbury
• Sabrine Bakery and Café, Malden
• Brother's Deli, Lynn
• Faneek's Coney Island, Fall River
• Bridge Pizzeria, Revere
• Pizza Maria, Brockton
• Las Palmas Restaurant, Roslindale
• New Wine Pizza , Worcester
• Sazon Peru Restaurant, Lawrence
• Fritay Restaurant, Mattapan
• Dona Habana, Roxbury

Food Trucks

• Crave, Holyoke
• Caribbean Classic on Wheels, Mattapan
• January’s Kitchen, Roxbury

Restaurants/Food Trucks

• MexiRico, Springfield
• Sabrosa Venezuela, Winchendon
• Cocina Lupita, Greenfield