Policy Heats Up: Hot Foods Act Poised To Modernize Snap

Bipartisan representatives precocious reintroduced the Hot Foods Act bill, which would let basking nutrient purchases done SNAP (formerly known arsenic nutrient stamps).

Currently, nan SNAP programme limits purchases to acold nutrient aliases nutrient that must beryllium prepared astatine home. For example, a stiff chickenhearted whitethorn beryllium purchased, but not a rotisserie chicken.

“Millions of American families trust connected SNAP regular to put nutrient connected nan table. It simply doesn’t make consciousness to restrict them from utilizing their benefits to bargain basking meals,” stated U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY).

“The Hot Foods Act removes this dated norm preventing group from purchasing basking foods pinch SNAP, giving elasticity to moving parents, group pinch disabilities, and nan galore hard-working Americans who request to put nutrient connected nan array each day. I americium proud to activity crossed nan aisle to make this commonsense change.”

Over 42 cardinal Americans trust connected nan SNAP programme and astir 70% of those group are children, aged aliases disabled. Because of this, nan outdated proviso that basking nutrient whitethorn not beryllium purchased nary longer makes consciousness to many. The Hot Foods Act intends to region this proviso and let SNAP participants to acquisition foods specified arsenic basking sandwiches aliases soups.

“How Americans shop and eat has changed dramatically complete nan past 50 years, but SNAP argumentation hasn’t kept up pinch nan times. The Hot Foods Act is simply a commonsense solution that gives low-income families nan aforesaid elasticity that different consumers bask erstwhile purchasing meals,” Henry Armour, CEO of nan National Association of Convenience Stores, noted successful a press release.

“Allowing SNAP recipients to bargain hot, prepared foods – for illustration a rotisserie chickenhearted aliases basking sandwich – intends greater convenience, much nutritious nutrient options and simplified compliance for SNAP retailers.”

Stephanie Hodges, a nationalist wellness dietitian astatine The Nourished Principles, shared her thoughts pinch The Food Institute. She feels galore SNAP participants look barriers successful accessing and preparing patient foods and nan authorities tin thief pinch this.

“A USDA study published successful 2021 recovered that SNAP participants noted challenges pinch clip to hole meals, room equipment, cooking skills, deficiency of storage, and moreover beingness disabilities arsenic barriers to patient eating,” Hodges told FI. “The Hot Foods Act tin thief SNAP participants flooded galore of these challenges and will let them to entree hot, prepared, and patient foods that meet nutritional needs.”

During a clip successful which galore Americans are struggling to spend patient nutrient and find clip to hole meals, nan alteration successful nan SNAP programme would thief link families pinch nan patient foods they’re seeking, Hodges said.

The authorities is besides supported by The Food Research & Action Center, First Focus Campaign for Children, Feeding America, and Hunger Free America.

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