Support S. 1202 – Expand SNAP Access to Hot, Ready-to-Eat Meals

I write to urge you to cosponsor and actively support S. 1202, the Hot Foods Act of 2025. This important legislation would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to be used for hot foods and hot food products ready for immediate consumption—a commonsense step that addresses real barriers faced by vulnerable populations. Many SNAP participants lack access to kitchens or the ability to prepare meals at home, including seniors, people with disabilities, and families working multiple jobs or caring for young children. By expanding SNAP to cover hot, ready-to-eat options, we can ensure these Americans have reliable access to nutritious meals—helping to reduce hunger, improve health outcomes, and provide dignity of choice for low-income households. Moreover, S. 1202 supports local businesses by opening a broader customer base for restaurants, food trucks, and meal-delivery services that meet the bill’s reasonable eligibility criteria. This creates new opportunities for small entrepreneurs in our communities while leveraging existing infrastructure to address food insecurity. Please stand with your colleagues in the Senate to back S. 1202. Your leadership on this issue will send a powerful message that no one in our state should go hungry simply because they cannot cook their own meals. Thank you for all you do to strengthen New Jersey families, and I appreciate your attention to this vital legislation.