Nearly 19,000 homeless, elderly and disabled Orange County residents are one step closer to being able to use their food stamp benefits to purchase hot meals at local restaurants.
County supervisors on Tuesday voted unanimously to implement a state program allowing those populations to swipe their CalFresh EBT cards to buy meals at participating eateries - a change that would help increase food access to thousands of people who have nowhere to store groceries or are unable to cook for themselves.
If the state approves the program, it could start by summer.
California has approved the program in eight counties over the past 13 years, including San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles counties, where it has become very popular among residents who qualify.
If the state approves, local restaurants would apply to participate. County staff members said they would approve use at restaurants in high-need areas first and expand later.
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