At a press conference Monday at the Blount County Multi-Purpose Center, Christina Woerner McInnis, candidate for commissioner of agriculture and industries, stood alongside poultry farmer Dennis Maze to highlight a new proposal to expand healthy food options in Alabama through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
Representative Donna Givens, who was unable to attend in person, issued a statement announcing that she has filed a bill seeking to add Alabama rotisserie chicken to the list of foods eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.
McInnis explained that this idea was born out of her campaign travels across the state. While meeting with poultry farmers, associations and legislators, she discovered a gap between Alabama’s most important food commodity—poultry—and the families who rely on SNAP for nutritious meals.
“I found there was a gap between our number one food commodity of poultry and the children in our state getting healthy, nutritious options through the SNAP program,” McInnis said. “Rotisserie chicken is a ready-to-eat, protein-rich food that working families depend on, but under current rules, it isn’t eligible for SNAP. That doesn’t make sense.”
She pointed to troubling statistics, noting that three out of four children on SNAP in Alabama are clinically obese, while 15 percent of the state’s population relies on the program. “We need solutions that give our children access to healthier options, not barriers that prevent them from eating the wholesome foods grown right here in Alabama,” McInnis said.
McInnis credited poultry farmer Dennis Maze, as well as industry groups like the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association, with helping shape the proposal. “By listening to our farmers, our associations, and our families, we came together with a common-sense solution,” she said. “Representative Donna Givens has now filed the waiver to make it happen—and I am thrilled to see Alabama’s leadership stepping up for our farmers and families.”
Dennis Maze, a Blount County chicken farmer with more than 50 years in the industry, echoed McInnis’ remarks, calling the proposal both a health measure and an economic opportunity.
“If we can get rotisserie chicken into the SNAP program, it’s a win-win for farmers and for families,” Maze said. He noted that poultry is a $15 billion industry in Alabama, representing roughly 10 percent of the state’s economy, and that expanding markets through SNAP would be a boost for growers. “There’s a great demand for poultry in this state and across the country. This is just common sense.”
Givens, in a prepared statement, explained her motivation for sponsoring the bill:
“Food security means more than just calories — it means dignity, nutrition, and choice. That’s why I introduced legislation to allow SNAP recipients to purchase rotisserie chicken and other prepared hot foods with their benefits.
“The current restrictions on SNAP make it difficult for families — especially those who are elderly, disabled, or working multiple jobs — to access ready-to-eat, nutritious meals. A rotisserie chicken may seem simple, but for many, it can mean the difference between a balanced dinner and going hungry.
“This bill is about common sense. If SNAP can be used to buy a cold chicken, there’s no reason it shouldn’t cover a hot one. It’s time our policies reflect the real lives of the people we serve.
“I urge my colleagues and the community to support this measure as a step toward a more fair, flexible, and humane SNAP program.”
McInnis closed by returning to the importance of pairing agriculture with nutrition: “One rotisserie chicken can feed a family of four for two meals. It can be used for casseroles, chicken salad, or simply served hot off the table. For many working families, that’s a lifeline. This bill is good for our farmers, good for our children, and good for Alabama.”
