Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) commended U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins for recent state-led efforts to expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to include certain hot food purchases.
For over 60 years, the law governing SNAP has prevented beneficiaries from purchasing hot, ready-to-eat foods with SNAP benefits. In their letter, Bennet and Meng argue that this provision is outdated and welcome the opportunity to work with USDA to modernize SNAP in ways that better reflect the needs and realities of the individuals and families it serves.
“This outdated restriction means that while a parent can use SNAP to buy frozen chicken and spend over an hour preparing and cooking it, they cannot purchase a hot rotisserie chicken to serve their family immediately. This policy no longer reflects the realities of modern American life or the diverse needs of SNAP households,” wrote Bennet and Meng.
Despite this restriction, states can apply individually for waivers from the federal government to expand SNAP benefits to include more types of food purchases for beneficiaries. Secretary Rollins recently supported an effort in Arkansas to include hot rotisserie chicken in the state’s SNAP benefits.
“We were pleased to see you recently supported a state-led effort to include rotisserie chicken among the foods covered under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” wrote the lawmakers. “As the co-leads of the bipartisan, bicameral Hot Foods Act (H.R.2512/S.1202), we are especially encouraged by these efforts that align with our goal to expand access to hot, prepared foods for SNAP beneficiaries nationwide.”
Of the more than 42 million SNAP participants, including 584,000 Coloradans, nearly 80 percent are children, elderly, or individuals with disabilities. The ability to purchase hot and ready-to-eat foods would provide much-needed flexibility to those who rely on SNAP to supplement their nutrition and dietary needs.
Bennet and Meng reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Hot Foods Act in March to help low-income families and seniors purchase cold prepared foods, heated foods, and hot meals using their SNAP benefits. Bennet previously introduced the Hot Foods Act in 2023.
This legislation is supported by The Food Research & Action Center, First Focus Campaign for Children, Feeding America, Hunger Free America, and the National Association of Convenience Stores.
The text of the letter is available HERE and below.
Dear Secretary Rollins:
We were pleased to see you recently supported a state-led effort to include rotisserie chicken among the foods covered under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). As the co-leads of the bipartisan, bicameral Hot Foods Act (H.R.2512/S.1202), we are especially encouraged by these efforts that align with our goal to expand access to hot, prepared foods for SNAP beneficiaries nationwide. We appreciate the Administration’s stated commitment to increase access to healthy foods for all Americans.
We should ensure the right policies and financial support are in place to make expanded access to healthy foods a reality. We welcome the opportunity to work with you and your Department to modernize SNAP in ways that better reflect the needs and realities of the individuals and families it serves.
As you know, for more than 60 years, the law governing SNAP has prohibited beneficiaries from purchasing hot, ready-to-eat foods with their benefits. This outdated restriction means that while a parent can use SNAP to buy frozen chicken and spend over an hour preparing and cooking it, they cannot purchase a hot rotisserie chicken to serve their family immediately. This policy no longer reflects the realities of modern American life or the diverse needs of SNAP households.
Of the more than 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP today, nearly 70 percent are children, seniors, or individuals with disabilities. For many, the inability to purchase nutritious, ready-to-eat foods creates a real and unnecessary barrier to food security.
That is why we have introduced the Hot Foods Act, which would remove the prohibition on using SNAP benefits to purchase hot, ready-to-eat foods. With nearly 100 cosponsors in the House and Senate, the Hot Foods Act is a commonsense, modern solution that would empower SNAP recipients to make healthy choices that fit American life.
As we continue advocating for the passage of the Hot Foods Act, we look forward to working with you to cut red tape and give the tens of millions of Americans who participate in SNAP greater choice and access to healthy foods that meet their families’ needs.