Hot Foods Act of 2025
Senate Bill Would Allow SNAP Recipients to Buy Hot Ready-to-Eat Foods
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- Congress would let people use SNAP to buy hot, ready-to-eat foods, not just cold groceries.
- This could help people who don’t have a kitchen, can’t cook, or need a quick meal from a deli or hot bar.
- The bill still keeps SNAP from being used for alcohol and tobacco.
- Stores could qualify to take SNAP for hot foods only if hot ready-to-eat items are not more than half of their total sales.
- The change is written into federal law by updating the rules for what counts as eligible food and which retailers can participate.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articles
Congress Introduces SNAP Hot Foods Bill
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng and Sen. Michael Bennet reintroduced the bipartisan Hot Foods Act to permanently allow SNAP to cover hot food purchases. The bill aims to modernize SNAP policy to reflect current consumer habits and provide flexibility for working parents, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Legislation would allow hot food purchases with SNAP benefits
Lawmakers have proposed the Hot Foods Act to modernize SNAP by allowing the purchase of hot, prepared meals. The legislation seeks to address barriers faced by SNAP participants, such as lack of kitchen equipment, physical disabilities, or time constraints that prevent home cooking.
Nunn Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Modernize SNAP Benefits
Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA) joined a bipartisan group to introduce the Hot Foods Act, emphasizing that the bill removes 'red tape' that prevents families from buying hot, prepared meals. The bill is framed as a common-sense reform to help working families and seniors access nutritious food.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Hot Foods Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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