A bipartisan, bicameral bill has been introduced that would allow hot food purchases to be covered under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill, known as the Hot Foods Act, was introduced by U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) and U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa).
SNAP currently limits purchases to cold prepared foods and food that must be prepared at home. If the Hot Foods Act were instated, SNAP recipients could buy hot foods such as prepared rotisserie chickens, hot sandwiches, soups and more.
As more convenience store chains ramp up their foodservice operations, more hot food items are offered to customers. Beyond the roller grill, many chains offer hot chicken meals, various made-to-order sandwiches, and tacos and burritos. With this legislation, SNAP participants would be eligible to use their benefits to take part in these offerings.
“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.”
SNAP is the nation’s largest nutrition assistance program, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). For fiscal year 2023, it accounted for 68% of USDA nutrition assistance spending.
Over 42 million people receive SNAP benefits, with nearly 70% of them being children, elderly or those with disabilities.
“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.
To receive SNAP benefits, household income, expenses and assets are considered. The federal government defines eligibility requirements, benefit levels and administrative rules, while states run day-to-day operations and issue benefits. In 2023, the states with the highest percentage of population receiving SNAP benefits were Oregon; New Mexico; Oklahoma; Louisiana; Illinois; West Virginia; and Washington, D.C., based on USDA data.
Rep. Meng originally introduced this legislation in May 2023, and it has 78 cosponsors.
