The “Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act” was not a SNAP decision, but one a bipartisan group of senators hopes takes effect.
The senators introduced the act, which is intended help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients use their benefits to buy rotisserie chicken.
The amendment would amend the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act to add “hot rotisserie chicken” to those items SNAP participants can legally purchase with their benefits, according to a joint statement about the bill from Sen. John Fetterman’s office.
It would not increase funding or SNAP participant eligibility or “allow all hot foods to be included for purchase.”
Current legislation does not allow the purchase of hot prepared foods. Only cooled but cooked rotisserie chicken may be purchased.
“America’s best (and delicious) affordability play is Costco’s $4.99 rotisserie chicken,” the Pennsylvania Democrat said in the 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.”
Sens. Jim Justice, R-W. Va., Shelley Moore Capito, R-W. Va., and Michael Bennet, D-Colo., are also backing the amendment.
“Allowing SNAP recipients to purchase hot rotisserie chicken is a simple, practical step to make the program work better for the people it serves,” Capito said. “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.”
Justice said allowing SNAP recipients to buy hot rotisserie chicken is “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.”
“It’s plain common sense: a hot rotisserie chicken is a healthy, easy meal for busy families,” he wrote on X. “Folks on SNAP should be able to grab one on the go.”
The amendment is a companion to a farm bill sponsored by Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., that received bipartisan support.
