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Press Release

NAMA Applauds SBA for Grant Program Eligibility Clarification

Response to NAMA’s Request Impacts Operators Providing Catering, Cafeteria and On-site Food Service

ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) today released the following statement from Mike Goscinski, senior director, external affairs, regarding the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) clarification of qualification for Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) grants, in response to a March letter from NAMA President and CEO, Carla Balakgie:

“We were encouraged when relief passed Congress, however convenience services operations with a blended business portfolio including catering, food service and cafeterias were likely to be excluded due to NAICS code restrictions applied to previous COVID-19 relief programs.

We are pleased with the SBA’s response to our request. This clarity ensures that convenience service operators who provide catering, on-site cafeteria and/or food service will not be inadvertently excluded from access to this much-needed relief.  The move allows more small businesses to continue to provide consumers with the products they need at work, at home and at play, as cities and states begin to reopen.”

Operators can find out more information on this program by visiting: www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/restaurant-revitalization-fund

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NAMA represents the $34.9 billion U.S. Convenience Services Industry. By providing advocacy, education, and research, NAMA works to promote and protect the industry’s over 160,000 hardworking employees. Through traditional vending and micro markets, office coffee and pantry services, product manufacturing, and small-drop distribution, convenience services meets the needs of over 40 million American consumers daily at work, home, school, and play.

NICOLE TARDIF
Senior Director, Communications & Marketing
[email protected]