H.R. 2512: Hot Foods Act of 2025

Introduced Mar 31, 202587 cosponsors

Sponsor

Grace Meng

Democrat · NY-6

Bill Progress

IntroducedMar 31

Committee

Pass House

Pass Senate

Signed

Law

Latest Action · Apr 18, 2025

1/4

Assigned to Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture. for review

SNAP won't pay for a hot meal — 87 lawmakers want to change that

Why it matters

87 cosponsors. If you're on SNAP, you can buy cold deli food but not the same sandwich heated up. H.R. 2512 lifts that restriction — letting SNAP cover hot, prepared, and ready-to-eat meals for the first time.

H.R. 2512 would change SNAP's definition of eligible food so hot food and other hot ready-to-eat items can be bought with benefits. Alcohol and tobacco would still stay off-limits.

That means SNAP could cover food you can eat immediately, like a hot deli meal or other prepared hot items, instead of drawing a hard line between groceries and meals that are already cooked.

What does H.R. 2512 do?

Hot meals become SNAP-eligible

H.R. 2512 would let SNAP benefits pay for hot food and other hot ready-to-eat items, not just colder groceries or ingredients you prepare at home.

Food you eat right away is covered

The bill updates SNAP's rules so eligible stores can sell food for home consumption or immediate consumption, reflecting that some households need a meal they can eat now.

Some prepared-food stores can stay in the program

A retailer could qualify for SNAP if hot ready-to-eat food makes up no more than 50% of total gross sales.

Alcohol and tobacco still stay excluded

The bill expands food eligibility, but it keeps alcoholic beverages and tobacco outside what SNAP can buy.

Related SNAP definitions get updated

H.R. 2512 also adds hot ready-to-eat food to a related definition for accessory food items so the broader rule change fits across the law.

Who benefits from H.R. 2512?

SNAP households without a real kitchen

If you're living in a motel, shelter, temporary housing, or anywhere with limited cooking equipment, H.R. 2512 would make it easier to buy food you can actually use.

Parents and workers short on time

For families rushing between jobs, school pickups, and transit, the bill would let SNAP cover meals that are ready when you need them.

Older adults and people with disabilities

If cooking is physically difficult or unsafe, access to hot prepared food could make SNAP more practical day to day.

Neighborhood grocers and markets with a hot-food counter

Stores that sell some prepared meals could reach SNAP customers more easily if hot-food sales stay at 50% or less of total sales.

Who is affected by H.R. 2512?

Current SNAP recipients

They would gain a broader list of eligible foods, including hot ready-to-eat meals.

Retailers in or near the SNAP program

Stores would need to track how much of their revenue comes from hot ready-to-eat food to show they stay within the bill's 50% limit.

Restaurants and sellers centered on hot meals

Businesses with more than 50% of gross sales from hot ready-to-eat food would still be outside the bill's eligibility line.

USDA and state SNAP administrators

They would have to update guidance, retailer rules, and compliance systems if hot prepared foods become eligible.

H.R. 2512 Common Questions

Would H.R. 2512 let you buy hot food with SNAP?

Yes. H.R. 2512 would make hot food and other hot ready-to-eat items eligible for SNAP purchases.

Would rotisserie chicken or deli meals count under H.R. 2512?

Yes, if they're hot ready-to-eat foods sold by an eligible SNAP retailer. That's the core change in H.R. 2512.

Would restaurants be able to take SNAP under H.R. 2512?

Not all of them. A business would need to qualify as a SNAP retailer, and hot ready-to-eat food could be no more than 50% of total gross sales.

What is the 50% rule in H.R. 2512?

It means a store can participate only if hot ready-to-eat foods make up 50% or less of its total gross sales.

Would SNAP cover food you eat immediately under H.R. 2512?

Yes. H.R. 2512 says eligible stores could sell food for home consumption or immediate consumption.

Would alcohol or tobacco become SNAP-eligible under H.R. 2512?

No. H.R. 2512 keeps both alcohol and tobacco excluded from SNAP purchases.

Who would benefit most if H.R. 2512 passes?

People who can't easily cook at home, including some unhoused households, workers with long hours, older adults, and people with disabilities.

Has H.R. 2512 passed yet?

No. According to the bill metadata provided, H.R. 2512 was referred to the House Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture on April 18, 2025.

Based on H.R. 2512 bill text

HR2512 Legislative Journey

2 actions

House: Committee Action

Apr 18, 2025

Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.

House: Committee Action

Mar 31, 2025

Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

About the Sponsor

Grace Meng

Democrat, New York's 6th congressional district · 13 years in Congress

Committees: Appropriations

View full profile →

Cosponsors (87)

No new cosponsors in 43 days

This bill has 87 cosponsors: 78 Democrats, 9 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 31 states: Alabama, California, Colorado, and 28 more.

78Democrats9Republicans·31 statesBipartisan

Brian Fitzpatrick

Republican · PA

Jahana Hayes

Democrat · CT

Andrew Garbarino

Republican · NY

Zachary Nunn

Republican · IA

Jake Auchincloss

Democrat · MA

Becca Balint

Democrat · VT

Wesley Bell

Democrat · MO

Suzanne Bonamici

Democrat · OR

Julia Brownley

Democrat · CA

Salud Carbajal

Democrat · CA

André Carson

Democrat · IN

Troy Carter

Democrat · LA

Committee Sponsors

Agriculture Committee

25D28R

|16 signed37 not yet

16 of 53 committee members cosponsored

11 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents

H.R. 2512 Quick Facts

Cosponsors

+82 more

Committee: Agriculture
Chamber: House
Policy: Agriculture and Food
Introduced: Mar 31, 2025

Assigned to Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture. for review

Apr 18, 2025

Constituent Resources

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Official Sources

H.R. 2512 on Congress.gov

Official bill page with status, text, actions, and cosponsors for the Hot Foods Act of 2025.

USDA SNAP Eligible Food Items

USDA Food and Nutrition Service guidance on what food can currently be bought with SNAP, directly relevant to the bill's proposed change for hot foods.

USDA SNAP Retailer Eligibility

Official SNAP retailer eligibility guidance that helps explain which stores may participate and why the bill's 50% hot-food sales threshold matters.

USDA SNAP Retailer Training and Requirements

USDA retailer compliance and training information relevant to how stores would need to follow revised SNAP rules if hot prepared foods become eligible.

Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 in U.S. Code

Official U.S. Code chapter containing the Food and Nutrition Act provisions that H.R. 2512 would amend, including 7 U.S.C. 2012.

USDA SNAP Restaurant Meals Program

Official USDA page on the Restaurant Meals Program, useful for distinguishing this bill from the narrower existing pathway for some prepared meals.

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H.R. 2512 Bill Text

PDF

“To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to permit supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits to be used to purchase additional types of food items.”

Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office