Meals for At-Risk Americans Act of 2023

This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to provide guidance and enhanced technical assistance for states that want to establish a restaurant meals program under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Sec. 2, Assistance for State Restaurant Meals Programs: The bill adds a new subsection to the Act defining terms like 'digital application' (a web-based platform for digital submissions), 'enhanced technical assistance' (detailed educational guidance for states), and 'restaurant meals program' (a state option program). It requires the Secretary to issue a rule within one year establishing guidance for states and a digital application for state plans. The rule can be an interim final rule effective immediately, with opportunity for comment and a hearing, followed by a final rule. The Secretary must notify states of their application status, including reasons for denial, and use real-time data sharing to give states frequent updates on restaurant applications, including denial explanations. Within 120 days, the Secretary must provide enhanced technical assistance to states, including help setting up a digital application for collecting restaurant applications. The bill also amends program requirements to let states decide whether to offer a digital application as an option for restaurants applying to participate.