The new farm bill should allow the purchase of hot foods with food stamps, said a letter signed by one-fifth of U.S. senators and representatives. The prohibition on hot food, in place since SNAP was created, “is no longer an accurate reflection of American families’ dietary or lifestyle needs,” said the lawmakers in a letter to the leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.
“Eighty percent of SNAP participants are children, seniors, or individuals with disabilities,” said the letter, arguing that the ban on hot food “disenfranchises vulnerable Americans,” such as people with mobility issues. “As you continue your work drafting the 2024 farm bill, we encourage you to include the bipartisan, bicameral Hot Foods Act,” which would allow SNAP benefits to be spent on hot foods,” the letter read.
The USDA issued a memorandum a month ago reiterating the ban on using SNAP for hot foods. “Only staple food products are counted toward a firm’s eligibility to participate in SNAP,” the memo read. “Heated foods, hot foods, and cold prepared foods are not considered staple foods, and are not counted.” The agency listed pizza, coffee, and fresh salads as examples of foods that cannot be bought with SNAP benefits.
Some 41.7 million people were enrolled in SNAP at latest count with average monthly benefits of $180 per person. A large group of House conservatives wants to cut SNAP outlays as part of the farm bill.