You can use your Food Stamps benefits at authorized food retailers to buy food for your household, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products. You can also purchase seeds and plants to grow your food. Food Stamps cannot be used to buy tobacco, alcohol, pet food, paper products, or household supplies. You can find a list of authorized food retailers in your area on the USDA website.
Where Can I Use My Food Stamps
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps, can be used to purchase food items at a variety of authorized retailers. These include:
- Grocery stores
- Convenience stores
- Supermarkets
- Farmer’s markets
- Certain restaurants
SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase:
- Tobacco products
- Alcohol
- Pet food
- Cleaning supplies
- Paper products
Using Food Stamps at Farmers Markets
Many farmers markets accept SNAP benefits, allowing individuals to purchase fresh, locally grown produce and other food items. To use SNAP benefits at a farmers market, follow these steps:
- Locate a farmers market that accepts SNAP benefits. You can find a list of participating markets on the USDA website or by asking your local SNAP office.
- Bring your SNAP EBT card and a valid form of identification to the market.
- Select the food items you wish to purchase. Eligible items typically include fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and dairy products.
- Proceed to the checkout counter and inform the cashier that you are paying with SNAP benefits.
- Swipe your SNAP EBT card at the payment terminal.
- Enter your PIN number.
- The cashier will process your purchase and deduct the amount of your purchase from your SNAP benefits balance.
Participating Farmers Markets in the United States
| State | Number of Participating Farmers Markets |
|---|---|
| California | 750 |
| Texas | 600 |
| Florida | 550 |
| New York | 500 |
| Pennsylvania | 450 |
Where Can I Use My Food Stamps?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides food-purchasing assistance to low-income individuals and families. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase eligible food items at authorized retailers. These retailers include grocery stores, farmers markets, and some online retailers.
SNAP Authorized Online Retailers
Currently, Amazon and Walmart are the only authorized online retailers that accept SNAP benefits.
- Amazon: You can use your SNAP EBT card to purchase eligible food items from Amazon.com. However, you cannot use your SNAP benefits to purchase non-food items, such as clothing, electronics, or household goods.
- Walmart: You can use your SNAP EBT card to purchase eligible food items from Walmart.com. You can also use your SNAP benefits to purchase non-food items, such as clothing, electronics, or household goods, as long as you also purchase at least $35 worth of eligible food items.
To use your SNAP benefits online, you will need to create an account with the retailer and link your SNAP EBT card. Once you have linked your card, you can add eligible food items to your shopping cart and checkout using your SNAP benefits.
Tips for Using SNAP Benefits Online
- Make sure you are shopping at an authorized online retailer.
- Create an account with the retailer and link your SNAP EBT card.
- Only purchase eligible food items with your SNAP benefits.
- Keep track of your SNAP balance so you do not overspend.
| Retailer | Website | Eligible Food Items |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | amazon.com | Fresh produce, meat, seafood, dairy products, bread, cereal, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages |
| Walmart | walmart.com | Fresh produce, meat, seafood, dairy products, bread, cereal, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as non-food items such as clothing, electronics, and household goods |
Where Can I Use My Food Stamps?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, is a government assistance program that helps low-income individuals and families purchase food. SNAP benefits can be used at authorized retailers, including grocery stores, supermarkets, and farmers’ markets.
In addition to these traditional retailers, SNAP benefits can also be used at certain restaurants. However, there are some restrictions on where and how SNAP benefits can be used at restaurants.
Authorized Food Stamp Restaurants
- Restaurants that are authorized to accept SNAP benefits must meet certain requirements, including:
- The restaurant must be licensed by the state or local government.
- The restaurant must offer a variety of healthy food options, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- The restaurant must accept SNAP benefits for all food items, including meals, snacks, and beverages.
- The restaurant must provide SNAP recipients with a written receipt that shows the amount of SNAP benefits used.
SNAP benefits cannot be used at restaurants that primarily serve alcohol.
How to Use SNAP Benefits at Restaurants
- To use SNAP benefits at a restaurant, you must first find a restaurant that is authorized to accept SNAP benefits.
- Once you have found an authorized restaurant, you can purchase food items using your SNAP benefits by swiping your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card at the checkout counter.
- The restaurant will then provide you with a written receipt that shows the amount of SNAP benefits used.
Participating Restaurants
The following are some examples of restaurants that accept EBT cards in certain locations. Please note that many restaurants only accept EBT cards for prepared meals, rather than groceries. Please call ahead of time to confirm before placing an order.
| Area | Restaurant |
| Baltimore, MD | McDonald’s |
| Chicago, IL | Subway |
| Los Angeles, CA | Jack in the Box |
| New York, NY | Domino’s Pizza |
| Philadelphia, PA | Dunkin’ Donuts |
To find a list of authorized SNAP restaurants in your area, you can visit the SNAP website or contact your local SNAP office.
SNAP-Ed Local Offices
SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education) is a public health nutrition program that provides nutrition education and counseling to low-income individuals and families. The program is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. SNAP-Ed offers a variety of services, including:
- Nutrition education classes
- Individual counseling
- Cooking demonstrations
- Grocery store tours
- Farm-to-table field trips
- And more
SNAP-Ed is available through local community organizations, such as health departments, schools, and faith-based organizations. To find a SNAP-Ed local office near you, visit the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) website or call the toll-free number 1-800-321-0793.
To find a SNAP-Ed local office near you, visit the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) website or call the toll-free number 1-800-321-0793.
Where Can I Use My Food Stamps
You can use your food stamps to purchase eligible food items at authorized retailers. Authorized retailers include grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and farmers markets. To find a list of authorized retailers in your area, visit the FNS website or call the toll-free number 1-800-321-0793.
When you use your food stamps at an authorized retailer, you will need to swipe your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card through the retailer’s payment terminal. The amount of your purchase will be deducted from your EBT card balance.
What Can I Buy with My Food Stamps
You can use your food stamps to purchase a variety of eligible food items, including:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Eggs
- Dairy products
- Bread
- Cereal
- Pasta
- Rice
- Beans
- Lentils
- And more
You cannot use your food stamps to purchase non-food items, such as:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Pet food
- Paper products
- Cleaning supplies
- Personal care items
- Home goods
- Electronics
- And more
For a complete list of eligible and non-eligible food items, visit the FNS website or call the toll-free number 1-800-321-0793.
| State | Number of SNAP Participants |
|---|---|
| California | 4,512,678 |
| Texas | 3,725,349 |
| New York | 2,916,827 |
| Florida | 2,840,543 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,891,950 |
| Illinois | 1,822,197 |
| Ohio | 1,775,129 |
| Michigan | 1,764,718 |
| North Carolina | 1,649,325 |
| Georgia | 1,561,710 |
Hey there, readers! Thanks for sticking with me as we explored the many places where you can use your food stamps. I know it can be a bit overwhelming at first, but I hope this article has helped clear things up. Remember, food stamps are a great way to stretch your food budget and make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need. So, make sure to use them wisely and enjoy all the delicious and nutritious meals you can whip up! That’s all for now, folks. Be sure to check back later for more tips and tricks on how to save money and eat healthy. Until next time, happy eating!