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Business Enterprise Program

For 28 years, blind Missourians have served the general public, state legislators, Department directors, judges and soldiers at food service facilities operated by the Rehabilitation Services for the Blind's (RSB's) Business Enterprise Program, which is overseen by the DSS Family Support Division's Rehabilitative Services for the Blind Section.

“We operate 47 facilities in state and federal buildings in Missouri,” said RSB Director Mark Laird. “In Jefferson City alone, we have five cafeterias, three vending routes and two snack shops.”

Those facilities are the Hawthorn Room Cafeteria in the Capitol, Harry's Place Cafeteria in the Truman Building, Dogwood Grill in the Employment Security Building, Heritage Room Cafeteria in the Jefferson Building, Wildwood Cafe in the Department of Health and Senior Services Building, Center Court Snack Bar in the Howerton Building, Truman Gift Shop in the Truman Building, River City Vending, Truman Vending Service and Ken's Vending.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Randolph-Sheppard Act into law in 1936, which mandated that priority be given to legally blind individuals in the operation of vending facilities on federally owned, leased or occupied property. Similar statutes were adopted in Missouri for the state locations in 1981.

“The goal of the Business Enterprise Program is to help blind residents achieve success as self-employed business people. There are about 35 employees in the 10 Jefferson City facilities and about 200 statewide. All the managers have visual impairments, as well as about 15 employees,” Laird said.

RSB also operates cafeterias at Fort Leonard Wood, and has received its third contract with the U.S. Department of Defense. RSB competes annually in the Defense Department's program for performance awards in the foodservice locations worldwide.

Those interested in learning more can call 1-800-592-6004 or view the Business Enterprise Program page on the DSS Web site.