Garbarino, Meng, Fitzpatrick, Hayes, Nunn Introduce The Hot Foods Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarno (R-NY-02)joined with Congesswoman Grace Meng (D-NY-06) and U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), along with Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05), and Zach Nunn (R-IA-03), to announce 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Currently, SNAP contains an outdated provision that limits purchases to food that needs to be prepared at home before it is consumed or specifically cold prepared foods.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.

"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 "Outdated restrictions like this ignore the reality many families face.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."

"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."

"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."

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