Foods You Can Buy With EBT
Your EBT card works like a debit card at grocery stores and farmers markets. You can buy any food meant to be prepared and eaten at home — fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, dairy, bread, cereals, snacks, and frozen foods all count. You cannot buy hot or prepared foods, restaurant meals, vitamins, medicine, pet food, alcohol, tobacco, or non-food items like soap or paper towels.
The rule is straightforward: if it is a raw or uncooked food you prepare yourself, it is covered. If someone else prepared it or you eat it there, it is not. A rotisserie chicken from the grocery store deli counter is not covered, but a raw chicken you take home and cook is. A sandwich from the deli is not covered, but bread and lunch meat you buy separately are.
Some items sit in a gray area. Seeds and plants that produce food are covered — you can buy tomato seeds or herb plants. Seafood, including shrimp and canned fish, is covered. Peanut butter, canned beans, frozen vegetables, and store-brand items are all covered and often cost less than name brands.
Key Takeaways
- EBT covers raw and uncooked foods you prepare at home, including meat, produce, dairy, bread, and frozen vegetables.
- Hot foods, prepared meals, restaurant food, and deli counter items are not covered, even if bought at a grocery store.
- Non-food items like cleaning supplies, toiletries, pet food, and medicine cannot be bought with EBT.
- Farmers markets accept EBT in most states, and you can buy fresh produce directly from vendors.
- Some grocery stores offer double-value programs where your EBT dollars stretch further at farmers markets.
Where You Can Use Your EBT Card
Most grocery stores, supermarkets, and food co-ops accept EBT. Walmart, Target, and similar stores with grocery sections accept it. Farmers markets in your area likely accept it too — you can ask at the market entrance or call ahead to confirm.
Some states run programs that match your EBT spending at farmers markets. If you spend $10 in EBT at a participating market, you might receive an extra $10 in tokens or credits to spend there. These programs go by different names in different states — some call them Market Match, others use different titles — but they all work the same way: your money goes further on fresh produce.
Online grocery delivery through Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and some regional services now accepts EBT in many states, though not all. Check your state's SNAP program website to see which online retailers are available in your area.
What Is Not Covered
Hot and prepared foods are the biggest category of exclusions. This includes rotisserie chicken, fried fish, deli sandwiches, pizza, and anything from a hot case or deli counter. It does not matter if you buy it at a grocery store — if it is hot or ready to eat, EBT does not cover it.
Alcohol and tobacco are never covered. Vitamins, medicines, and supplements are not covered, even over-the-counter ones. Household items like paper towels, trash bags, laundry detergent, and soap are not covered. Pet food, including dog and cat food, is not covered. Flowers and plants grown for decoration are not covered, though food-producing plants are.
Restaurant meals, food trucks, and takeout are not covered. This includes fast food, pizza delivery, and any meal you do not prepare yourself at home. Coffee and energy drinks are covered if they are not hot, but hot coffee from a café is not.
Lower-Cost Foods That Stretch Your Budget
Store brands cost less than name brands and are covered by EBT. Rice, beans, lentils, and pasta are inexpensive staples that last. Eggs, peanut butter, canned vegetables, and frozen fruit and vegetables are affordable and nutritious. Whole chickens cost less per pound than chicken parts. Seasonal produce at farmers markets is often cheaper than supermarket prices.
Bulk bins at some grocery stores let you buy exactly the amount you need of grains, nuts, and dried fruit, which reduces waste and cost. Canned fish like tuna and sardines are cheaper than fresh fish and covered by EBT. Store-brand milk, yogurt, and cheese stretch further than name brands.
Planning meals around what is on sale that week helps your money go further. Many grocery stores publish weekly ads online, and you can check them before you shop. Buying whole foods and cooking from scratch costs less than buying pre-made or partially prepared foods.
Using Your Card at Farmers Markets
Farmers markets that accept EBT usually have a booth or stand where you exchange your EBT card for tokens or vouchers. You then use those tokens to buy from any vendor at the market. The process takes a few minutes the first time, but it is straightforward after that.
At farmers markets, you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, honey, and nuts directly from growers. Some vendors sell prepared foods like baked goods or jams — check with each vendor whether their items are covered, as the rules are the same as at grocery stores. Flowers and ornamental plants are not covered, but edible plants and seeds are.
Farmers markets often have lower prices on produce than supermarkets, especially for seasonal items. If your state runs a matching program, your EBT money goes even further. Call your local farmers market or check your state SNAP website to find markets near you that accept EBT.
How to Check If an Item Is Covered
The simplest way is to ask the cashier before you check out. They can tell you whether a specific item is covered. If you are unsure about something, ask — it takes a moment and prevents you from reaching the register with items that will not go through.
Your state's SNAP program website has a searchable list of covered and non-covered items. You can also call the customer service number on the back of your EBT card and ask about specific foods. Many grocery stores have a customer service desk that can answer questions too.
When in doubt, remember the basic rule: raw or uncooked food you prepare at home is covered. Hot, prepared, or ready-to-eat food is not. Non-food items are never covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy hot food with EBT if I take it home to eat?
No. The rule is based on whether the food is hot or prepared when you buy it, not where you eat it. A hot rotisserie chicken, deli sandwich, or pizza is not covered even if you take it home. Raw chicken, deli meat, and frozen pizza are covered.
Are energy drinks and soda covered by EBT?
Cold beverages like soda, energy drinks, and iced tea are covered. Hot coffee and hot tea are not. Alcohol and tobacco are never covered, regardless of temperature.
Can I use EBT to buy food online?
Some online grocery services accept EBT in certain states. Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and regional services may offer it where you live. Check your state SNAP program website to see which online retailers are available in your area.
Are vitamins and supplements covered by EBT?
No. Vitamins, minerals, supplements, and medicines — including over-the-counter ones — are not covered by EBT, even if sold in a grocery store.
Can I buy seeds or plants that grow food with EBT?
Yes. Seeds for vegetables, herbs, and fruit are covered. Live plants that produce food, like tomato or herb plants, are covered. Ornamental plants and flowers are not covered.