House Approves SNAP Hot Rotisserie Chicken Purchases

The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday to approve an amendment to the Farm Bill that would allow recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to purchase hot rotisserie chickens at eligible retailers. The measure passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 384-35 with bipartisan support, marking a targeted change to longstanding rules excluding hot prepared foods from the program.

Sponsored in the House by Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, a Democrat from Michigan, and Rep. Rick Crawford, a Republican from Arkansas, the amendment modifies the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. It adds hot rotisserie chickens to the definition of eligible staple foods under SNAP, while cold versions remain purchasable as before. The provision does not extend to other hot prepared items like sandwiches or soups, nor does it apply to restaurants.

Lawmakers supporting the change argued it addresses an outdated policy dating to the 1970s, when most households cooked from scratch. A 2021 USDA report found that 30 percent of SNAP recipients cite lack of time as a cooking barrier, with 15 percent mentioning physical disabilities and 11 percent lacking kitchen equipment. Proponents highlighted...