Several senators have proposed a bipartisan bill to expand the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by allowing recipients to purchase hot rotisserie chicken with their benefits.
What did the bipartisan lawmakers say about the bill?
Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., and fellow Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Michael Bennet, D-Colo., introduced “The Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act.” The legislation aims to amend the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act by adding hot rotisserie chicken to the list of approved food items eligible for purchase, according to a recent notice.
“Allowing folks on SNAP to buy hot rotisserie chickens is truly just common sense. It’s as basic as you can get to help busy parents or grandparents put something as simple as this on the table to feed their families. We have to give people the option to put a healthy, protein-dense choice on the table that actually tastes good and doesn’t take an hour and a half to cook,” Justice said in a statement.
The current statute does not allow the purchase of hot prepared foods under SNAP, but does allow the purchase of cooled rotisserie chicken. If passed, it would allow beneficiaries to purchase the popular food item.
Capito on the legislation: ‘This bill brings SNAP in line with real-world needs’
Additionally, the bill does not increase funding or expand SNAP eligibility, nor does it allow all hot foods to be purchased, per the notice.
“America’s best (and delicious) affordability play is Costco’s $4.99 rotisserie chicken,” Fetterman said in a statement. “It’s one of my family’s favorites and I’m proud to join this bill with Senator Justice for all to try. SNAP funds would be well spent to feed our nation’s families who need it.”
Capito echoed those sentiments, stating that the legislation would help SNAP recipients have better access to hot food.
“Allowing SNAP recipients to purchase hot rotisserie chicken is a simple, practical step to make the program work better for the people it serves. For seniors, working families, and those without reliable access to cooking equipment, this is about convenience and dignity. With multiple states—including West Virginia—already requesting flexibility in this area, this bill brings SNAP in line with real-world needs while making smart, efficient use of taxpayer dollars,” she stated.
Lawmakers have previously amended and restricted SNAP purchases
Rotisserie chicken typically costs around $5 at most grocery stores, making it a convenient option for families seeking a nutritious meal and to save time on cooking.
“Congress should be making it easier, not harder, for families to put food on the table. This bill fixes an unnecessary barrier and helps Colorado families get a quick, nutritious meal when they need it,” Bennet said.
Over the years, lawmakers have debated which items can be purchased with SNAP benefits. In March, Blavity reported that the U.S. Department of Agriculture partnered with the Make America Healthy Again initiative and issued waivers to Kansas, Nevada, Ohio and Wyoming, allowing these states to impose additional restrictions on the list of eligible items for recipients.
These regions joined 18 other states that implemented restrictions on SNAP purchases, which mostly ban candy, soft drinks and sodas.