Congress Introduces Hot Foods Act for SNAP Benefits

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has reintroduced the Hot Foods Act, which seeks to amend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by allowing recipients to purchase hot foods like rotisserie chickens and hot sandwiches. Currently, SNAP restricts transactions to cold prepared foods or items that must be cooked at home, a limitation that advocates argue is outdated. The bill has garnered significant support, with 78 cosponsors in the House and 10 in the Senate, and aims to offer more flexibility to low-income families. Proponents, including Rep. Grace Meng and Sen. Michael Bennet, emphasize that the legislation aligns SNAP with modern shopping habits and promotes access to nutritious meals. In contrast, another bill in Idaho has passed legislation to restrict SNAP purchases of candy and soda, highlighting a growing trend among some states to encourage healthier choices among SNAP recipients. Both initiatives reflect ongoing discussions about the future of food assistance in the U.S.