MENG, BENNET, FITZPATRICK, HAYES, GARBARINO, & NUNN INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL BILL ALLOWING SNAP TO COVER HOT & PREPARED FOODS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), along with Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), and Zach Nunn (R-IA), announced the introduction of their bipartisan, bicameral Hot Foods Act, which would permit the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to cover hot food purchases. 

Currently, SNAP contains an outdated provision that limits purchases to food that needs to be prepared at home before it is consumed or specifically cold prepared foods. The Hot Foods Act would remove this prohibition and allow SNAP recipients to use their benefits to buy hot foods like prepared rotisserie chickens, hot sandwiches, soups and more.

 “Millions of American families rely on SNAP daily to put food on the table. It simply doesn’t make sense to restrict them from using their benefits to buy hot meals while allowing them to buy the exact same type of meal cold or frozen,” said Rep. Meng. “The Hot Foods Act removes this dated rule preventing people from purchasing hot foods with SNAP, giving flexibility to working parents, people with disabilities, and the many hard-working Americans who need to put food on the table every day. I am proud to work across the aisle to make this commonsense change.”

 “SNAP is one of the most effective tools for reducing food insecurity and combating poverty. It’s past time that Congress cuts unnecessary red tape in the program that prevents Americans from using their SNAP benefits to buy prepared and hot foods to feed their families,” said Senator Bennet. “This bill will make it easier for working families, single parents, people with disabilities, and seniors to put nutritious food on the table.”

Of the more than 42 million SNAP participants, including 2.8 million New Yorkers, nearly 70 percent of them are children, elderly, or those with disabilities. The ability to purchase hot and ready-to-eat foods would provide much-needed flexibility to those who rely on this program to supplement their nutrition and dietary needs.

“Millions of Americans rely on SNAP to help put healthy, nutritious food on the table — and they deserve the flexibility to use those benefits in ways that reflect real-life needs. For workers and families constantly on-the-go, prepared hot foods are often the most practical and accessible option. The Hot Foods Act is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that expands food choice, respects individual circumstances, and strengthens the impact of SNAP for those facing food insecurity every day. I’m proud to work across the aisle to deliver this long-overdue reform,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.

“Right now, a person receiving SNAP benefits cannot purchase hot foods, meaning if you are unhoused, living at a shelter, do not have adequate cooking faculties, or just don’t have time because of a nontraditional work schedule, then your benefits are no good to you for making healthy food choices like hot soup or a rotisserie chicken,” said Rep. Hayes. “SNAP should reflect modern grocery options instead of creating unnecessary barriers for recipients.”

“A working mom trying to put food on the table for her kids can use SNAP to buy a cold sandwich—but not a hot bowl of soup or a rotisserie chicken. That just doesn’t make sense,” said Rep. Garbarino. “Outdated restrictions like this ignore the reality many families face. The Hot Foods Act is a commonsense reform that would give families more flexibility to purchase nutritious, ready-to-eat meals. I’m proud to co-lead this effort to ensure children have access to the healthy, hot meals they need.”

“No family should have to choose between hunger and dignity,” said Rep. Nunn. “Iowans deserve the flexibility to use their nutrition benefits on warm, ready-to-eat meals that make life a little easier - especially for working parents.”

"SNAP participants may purchase items like chicken, but not hot items such as rotisserie chicken. This doesn't make sense and also creates challenges for those who lack access to a kitchen or have difficulty preparing their own meals, including older adults, people living with a disability, or those experiencing homelessness," said Salaam Bhatti, SNAP director for the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). "The Hot Foods Act would remove this barrier, improving SNAP participants’ access to food and alleviating the stress often associated with preparing meals with limited resources. We commend Congresswoman Meng and Senator Bennet for reintroducing this bill and urge Congress to pass this commonsense legislation."

“Children deserve access to nutritious food, without unnecessary stipulations or arbitrary barriers. Allowing SNAP recipients to purchase hot foods allows parents who may be working multiple jobs or experiencing housing insecurity to still provide hot and nutritious meals that their children need,” said Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus Campaign for Children. “Access to adequate nutrition is vital for our children’s health and well-being, and First Focus Campaign for Children applauds Rep. Meng and Sen. Bennet for ensuring that SNAP keeps food on kids’ tables, regardless of circumstances.”

“SNAP is the most impactful hunger-relief program in the U.S., but there are steps lawmakers can take to modernize the program and make it work even better for eligible individuals and families,” said Vince Hall, Chief Government Relations Officer at Feeding America. “Feeding America supports the Hot Foods Act, which would give people the option to use their SNAP benefits to purchase hot and prepared foods. This important change would provide additional flexibility for families, seniors, and people with disabilities to choose the foods at the grocery store that best meet their dietary needs.”

“It’s crazy that – under current federal law – a struggling American can use SNAP benefits to buy a cold rotisserie chicken but can’t obtain that the very same rotisserie chicken (at the same price) with SNAP benefits if happens to be heated up at the store,” said Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America. “Ditto for countless other types of low-cost, nutritious hot foods unallowable for SNAP recipients, many of whom are working people who don’t have a ton of time to cook or are people for whom cooking is a physical hardship. Ditto for countless other types of healthy, hot food prohibited in SNAP. We greatly appreciate that Rep. Meng leading efforts to end this silly, harmful policy.”

 “How Americans shop and eat has changed dramatically over the past 50 years, but SNAP policy hasn’t kept up with the times. The Hot Foods Act is a commonsense solution that gives low-income families the same flexibility that other consumers enjoy when purchasing meals,” said Henry Armour, president and CEO of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). “Allowing SNAP recipients to buy hot, prepared foods – like a rotisserie chicken or hot sandwich – means greater convenience, more nutritious food options and simplified compliance for SNAP retailers. We applaud Reps. Meng, Fitzpatrick, Garbarino, Hayes and Nunn for their leadership and urge Congress to pass this much-needed legislation.”

Originally introduced by Rep. Meng in May 2023, this legislation has 78 cosponsors. It is supported by The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), First Focus Campaign for Children, Feeding America, Hunger Free America, and the National Association of Convenience Stores.

A copy of the bill can be viewed here.