Restaurants in LA can boost sales by joining RMP and accepting EBT cards

Korean American restaurant and grocery market owners were invited to an information session on the vendor sign-up process for the government-funded food assistance program. This session was held on the first floor of the Korean American Community Center in Los Angeles on November 21.

Program representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the LA County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) were present to explain how to sign up for the Restaurant Meals Program for seniors (RMP) and the acceptance of EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cards by restaurants.

EBT cards are issued to low-income individuals participating in food assistance programs.

“Any Korean restaurant that offers items like kimchi or soup on its menu can apply for the RMP program,” said Ken Teeravate from the LA County Department of Public Social Services. “Once enrolled, customers can pay for their meals with EBT, encouraging more Korean American seniors to visit the restaurant and potentially increasing sales.”

DPSS outlined five requirements for joining the RMP: offering fruits, canned foods, or at least two vegetable side dishes; providing at least 12 ounces of free water; using at least one whole grain item per meal; offering a special discounted menu including two healthy options; and displaying a DPSS-provided RMP sign outside the restaurant.

“The application can be submitted online or over the phone. DPSS will review the application, conduct an interview, and upon approval, the USDA will finalize the license,” Teeravate explained. “The process takes an average of 45 days but can be quicker depending on the region and type of restaurant.”

The USDA also discussed the eligibility and process for grocery market operators to join the EBT card payment system and demonstrated how to complete an EBT application, encouraging Korean American business owners to apply.

For Eligibility A, the store must carry at least three items from each of the four food categories, with one item from two categories being perishable. Eligibility B applies when 51% of a store’s sales come from the food category.

“The state can inspect businesses accepting EBT cards once a year,” said USDA FNS Program specialists Tyana Gibbs and Kyle Aguilar. “The EBT card can only be used for groceries, and violating this could result in legal action.”

“There’s an opportunity to increase sales with EBT cards, but many Korean American business owners are unaware of how to sign up, so we organized this event,” said James An, president of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, which organized the event.

LA County RMP application website: https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en/food/meals.html

EBT Payment System Application: www.fns.usda.gov/snap/apply-to-accept

BY NICOLE CHANG, JUNHAN PARK    [chang.nicole@koreadaily.com]