What Can You Buy With Food Stamps/EBT? Answered (+ What You Can’t)

Sonya Bateman headshot Sonya Bateman
Verified & Updated Nov 8, 2022
A Sign at a Retailer - We Accept SNAP II

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is widely accepted for food purchases at most grocery stores and some gas stations, convenience stores, and farmer’s markets.

If you receive SNAP benefits, you can use an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card, to make your purchases.

Eligible food items include staples like meat, vegetables, bread, and cereal, as well as snack foods and frozen meals.

Not all food items are eligible for SNAP purchases; we list what you can and can’t buy with your EBT card below.

What Can You Buy With EBT/SNAP?

Under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services guidelines, you can use SNAP benefits to buy the following:[1]

  • Food for your household, including bread and cereal; fruit and vegetables; meat, fish, and poultry; and dairy products
  • Snack foods
  • Seeds and plants that produce food
  • Non-alcoholic beverages

As a general rule, if an item has a Nutrition Information or Nutrition Facts label (rather than a Supplemental Facts label), it is likely eligible under the SNAP program.

Below, we list the categories and specific items/brands that you can buy with EBT cards/SNAP and where you can buy them.

Note that you can also use your EBT card to buy these items in different states while traveling (as previously reported).

Baby Food/Formula

enfamil

  • EBT-eligible brands: Enfamil,[2] Similac,[3] all major and store brands
  • Types you can buy with EBT: All types (powdered, concentrated, and ready-to-feed liquid formula; baby food jars; baby cereal; baby snack items)[4]
  • Where you can buy with EBT: Grocery stores, gas stations

Note: The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program is handled separately from SNAP benefits. While WIC benefits restrict the types of food that you can purchase,[5] there are no brand restrictions for baby food or formula purchases with EBT.[4]

Baked Goods

baked goods

  • EBT-eligible brands: All major and store brands
  • Types you can buy with EBT: Fresh baked, prepackaged, day-old/discounted[6]
  • Where you can buy with EBT: Grocery stores, bakeries, gas stations, farmer’s markets

Bread and Cereals

cereal

  • EBT-eligible brands: All major and store brands
  • Types you can buy with EBT: All types including prepackaged, mixes, instant, ready-to-eat, and all ingredients[1]
  • Where you can buy with EBT: Grocery stores, gas stations, farmer’s markets

Candy

candy

  • EBT-eligible brands: All major and store brands
  • Types you can buy with EBT: All types[7]
  • Where you can buy with EBT: Grocery stores, gas stations

Coffee

coffee

  • EBT-eligible brands: All major and store brands
  • Types you can buy with EBT: Ground, whole bean, prepackaged, bottled cold coffee, single-serve pods for Keurig and similar coffee machines; hot, ready-to-drink coffee is not eligible for purchase with EBT/SNAP.[8]
  • Where you can buy with EBT: Grocery stores, gas stations

Cooking Ingredients/Spices

spices

  • EBT-eligible brands: All major and store brands
  • Types you can buy with EBT: Vinegar; cooking oils including vegetable, canola, and coconut oil; food coloring, condiments; spices; artificial sweeteners; salt substitutes; and cooking spray — these products carry nutrition information labels and are therefore considered food.[9]
  • Where you can buy with EBT: Grocery stores, gas stations

Dairy Products (Including Ice Cream)

dairy

  • EBT-eligible brands: All major and store brands
  • Types you can buy with EBT: All types[1]
  • Where you can buy with EBT: Grocery stores, gas stations

Energy Drinks

energy drinks

  • EBT-eligible brands: Monster, Red Bull, Full Throttle, Amp, NOS, Rockstar (all of which have a Nutrition Facts label); most generic or store brands
  • Types you can buy with EBT: Ready-to-drink cans.[10] As a rule, you can buy energy drinks with EBT cards/SNAP if they have a Nutrition Facts label. Energy drinks with Supplement Facts labels aren’t eligible to purchase with EBT/SNAP.[10]
  • Where you can buy with EBT: Grocery stores, gas stations

Frozen Entrees/Frozen Dinners/Uncooked Pizza

frozen pizza

  • EBT-eligible brands: All major and store brands
  • Types you can buy with EBT: All types[11]
  • Where you can buy with EBT: Grocery stores, gas stations

Fruits and Vegetables

vegetables

  • EBT-eligible brands: All major and store brands; all produce
  • Types you can buy with EBT: Fresh, frozen, canned, prepackaged[1]
  • Where you can buy with EBT: Grocery stores, gas stations, farmer’s markets

Lunch Meat/Deli Food

lunch meat

  • EBT-eligible brands: Lunchables and other prepackaged combination food brands; all major and store brands
  • Types you can buy with EBT: Fresh sliced or pre-sliced deli meats and cheeses; packaged deli foods and prepared foods (including rotisserie chicken and cold sushi) that will be eaten at home. Hot, prepared foods to be eaten at a store — such as in-store café services — aren’t eligible for EBT/SNAP.[11]
  • Where you can buy with EBT: Grocery stores, gas stations

Meats, Fish, Seafood, and Poultry

meats

  • EBT-eligible brands: All major and store brands
  • Types you can buy with EBT: Fresh, frozen, canned, prepackaged, live seafood (lobsters, fish, shellfish).[1] Note that live animals, such as chickens, are not eligible for purchase with EBT/SNAP.[1]
  • Where you can buy with EBT: Grocery stores, gas stations, farmer’s markets

Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Alcohol Mixers

sparkling cider

  • EBT-eligible brands: Any non-alcoholic or alternative vineyard brand with 0% alcohol content
  • Types you can buy with EBT: Non-alcoholic beverages, sparkling cider, cooking wine, mixes for alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic beverages are not eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. However, some alcohol-related and non-alcoholic drinks are eligible.[11]
  • Where you can buy with EBT: Grocery stores, gas stations

Nutrition and Dietary Supplements

slimfast

  • EBT-eligible brands: Slimfast,[12] Pedialyte,[12] Ensure (as previously reported), some store brands; our related research explains how to buy protein powder with EBT/SNAP.
  • Types you can buy with EBT: Powdered, ready-to-drink[11]
  • Where you can buy with EBT: Grocery stores, health food stores, gas stations

Note: This category includes items such as protein powders and meal replacement shakes. As a rule, items with Nutrition Information labels are eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits, while items with Supplement Information labels are not eligible. You can ask store associates to confirm before purchasing if you are uncertain.[11]

Seeds and Plants

seeds

  • EBT-eligible brands: All brands
  • Types you can buy with EBT: Fruit trees, flaxseed, alfalfa seed, and nasturtium seeds; any edible or food-producing seeds or plants[11]
  • Where you can buy with EBT: Grocery stores, health food stores, farmer’s markets

Soft Drinks (Soda/Pop/Coke)

soft drinks

  • EBT-eligible brands: All major and store brands
  • Types you can buy with EBT: All types[7]
  • Where you can buy with EBT: Grocery stores, gas stations

Miscellaneous

In addition to the main categories, several other types of food items are eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.

These include:

  • Gift baskets: You can use your EBT card to buy gift baskets with food and non-food items if the value of the food items is at least 50% of the total price.[11]
  • Pumpkins: Whole pumpkins are considered food items and can be purchased with EBT cards/SNAP. However, inedible gourds for decoration are not eligible.[13]
  • Special occasion cakes: Items such as birthday cakes, graduation cakes, and other special occasion cakes are SNAP eligible, provided the value of non-edible decorations is not more than 50% of the total price.[11]

You can also buy these individual specialty food items with EBT/SNAP:[11]

  • Baker’s yeast
  • Bottled water
  • Corn husks
  • Goat’s milk
  • Honey
  • Ice (cubed, bagged, or blocked)
  • Vegan foods

Find a list of these eligible and ineligible items and more in the Generic Product Determinations spreadsheet from the USDA SNAP Eligible Food Items page.

See our related research for information on the EBT deposit time in your state.

Finally, in certain rural areas of Alaska, you can purchase hunting and fishing items with EBT cards/SNAP, including bows and arrows, harpoons, knives, fishing lines, hooks, nets, and other necessary equipment.

Find out more about this exception on the Alaska Division of Public Assistance EBT page.

What Can’t You Buy with EBT/SNAP?

The USDA states that SNAP benefits can’t be used to purchase:[11]

  • Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
  • Any nonfood items including household supplies, soaps, paper products, cosmetics, grooming items, and pet food (dog food, cat food, etc.)
  • Vitamins or medicines
  • Food that will be eaten in the store
  • Hot foods

Any prepared or hot foods that are to be eaten on-premises, such as at restaurants, fast food places, and in-store cafes, are not eligible for purchase with EBT/SNAP.

The only exception to this rule is the Restaurant Meals Program, which provides prepared food for the elderly, disabled, and homeless in limited areas from participating fast food restaurants.[14]

The Restaurant Meals Program is only available in select states. You can find out more about which states and restaurants participate in this program in our research on fast food places that take EBT/SNAP.

Additionally, some particular items in eligible categories are not eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.

As a rule, anything that doesn’t have a Nutrition Information or Nutrition Facts label isn’t considered food and isn’t eligible for purchase with EBT cards/SNAP.

Ineligible items include, but are not limited to:[11]

  • Bitters (alcohol-based flavoring such as liqueurs)
  • Canning jars and lids
  • Charcoal
  • Cod liver oil
  • Cough drops
  • Crabs (cooked and hot) — however, live crabs and fresh or frozen crab legs are eligible for purchase with EBT
  • Diapers
  • Dry ice
  • Energy drinks with Supplement Information labels (including 5-Hour Energy and G Fuel Energy)
  • Fertilizer and insecticides
  • Flax oil
  • Gift baskets that contain less than 50% food
  • Gourds used for decorative purposes
  • Ice cream cone/sundae (fresh dipped and made for on-premise consumption, such as at an ice cream stand or store window)
  • Livestock (live animals or birds)
  • Nutrition and dietary supplements with Supplement Information labels (including Metamucil, Body Fortress, GNC, and most protein powders)
  • Special occasion cakes that are more than 50% non-edible
  • Toilet paper

More Information

For more about EBT/SNAP, we explain whether or not an unborn child affects SNAP eligibility and whether your benefits will roll over at the end of the month.

We also list the grocery stores and gas stations that accept EBT.

  1. https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligible-food-items[↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩]
  2. https://www.enfamil.com/reimbursement-support[↩]
  3. https://www.similac.com/the-similac-difference.html[↩]
  4. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Is-baby-food-and-infant-formula-eligible-for-purchase-with-Supplemental-Nutrition-Assistance-Program[↩][↩]
  5. https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-food-packages-regulatory-requirements-wic-eligible-foods#INFANT%20FORMULA[↩]
  6. https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/snap/SNAP-Staple-Foods.pdf[↩]
  7. https://dhhr.wv.gov/ebt/cardholders/Pages/What%20Can%20SNAP%20Buy.aspx[↩][↩]
  8. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Are-drinks-hot-coffee-tea-fountain-drinks-slushies-iced-coffee-coffee-smoothies-etc-eligible-for[↩]
  9. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Are-cooking-spices-and-condiments-eligible-for-purchase-with-Supplemental-Nutrition-Assistance-Progr[↩]
  10. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Are-energy-drinks-eligible-for-purchase-with-Supplemental-Nutrition-Assistance-Program-benefits[↩][↩]
  11. https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/food-determinations-eligible-foods[↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩]
  12. http://services.dpw.state.pa.us/oimpolicymanuals/snap/FSP_EligFoodList_2_18_05.pdf[↩][↩]
  13. https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/wr/snap-eligible-foods.pdf?_ga=2.255139085.46967995.1585141848-1340380686.1579544316[↩]
  14. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Can-I-buy-food-at-restaurants-with-Supplemental-Nutrition-Assistance-Program-benefits-For-SNAP-Clien[↩]
See more content about EBT/Food Stamps/SNAP

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