A full list of everything you can buy with SNAP

SNAP benefits (also known as food stamps) help millions of Americans put food on the table each month. When you get SNAP, your benefits are loaded onto an EBT card, which works like a debit card at approved grocery stores, supermarkets, farmers markets, and some online retailers.

Not sure what you can buy with your SNAP benefits? Here's a simple way to remember: If it has a "Nutrition Facts" label and you can eat it, you can generally buy it with SNAP. Items with "Supplement Facts" labels usually don't qualify.

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Dairy products#dairy-products

All of these dairy products are SNAP-eligible:

• Milk (regular, lactose-free, and non-dairy alternatives like oat milk or almond milk)
• Cheese (all types, including string cheese or shelf-stable parmesan)
• Yogurt and yogurt drinks
• Butter
• Ice cream and frozen yogurt
• Cottage cheese
• Sour cream

Fruits and vegetables#fruits-and-vegetables

SNAP covers all fruits and vegetables, whether they’re fresh, frozen, or canned:

• Fresh produce
• Frozen fruits and vegetables
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Dried fruits
• Fruit and vegetable juices

Eggs#eggs

Eggs are a SNAP-eligible protein source. You can use your SNAP benefits to buy:

• Chicken eggs
• Other types of eggs like duck and quail eggs
• Liquid egg products
• Powdered eggs

Beans, grains, and pasta#beans-grains-and-pasta

SNAP benefits cover a wide variety of beans, grains, and pasta products:

• Rice (white, brown, wild rice, and rice mixes)
• Pasta and noodles (all varieties including wheat, gluten-free, and veggie-based)
• Bread (including sliced bread, rolls, bagels, pita, and bagels)
• Tortillas and wraps
• Cereals and oatmeal
• Dried beans, peas, and lentils
• Canned beans (including baked beans and refried beans)
• Flour, cornmeal, and baking mixes
• Quinoa, barley, and other whole grains
• Boxed macaroni and cheese

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Condiments and spices#condiments-and-spices

Add flavor to your meals with these SNAP-eligible items:

• Salt, pepper, and all spices
• Ketchup, mustard, and mayo
• Salad dressings
• Cooking oils like olive oil or canola oil
• Vinegar
• Hot sauce
• Soy sauce
• Honey, jam, and jelly

Coffee and tea#coffee-and-tea

Yes, you can buy coffee and tea with SNAP benefits, as long as it has a "Nutrition Facts" label. SNAP-eligible caffeinated drinks include:

• Coffee beans and ground coffee
• Tea bags and loose tea
• Instant coffee
• K-cups and coffee pods
• Iced coffee and bottled coffee drinks

Soda, juice, and water#soda-juice-and-water

Yes, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase:

• Soda and soft drinks
• Energy drinks that have a nutrition label
• Juice and juice concentrates
• Bottled water
• Sparkling water or seltzer
• Juice boxes or packs like Capri-Sun

When buying drinks with your SNAP benefits, it’s extra important that you check for a “Nutrition Facts” label. Certain teas and energy drinks won’t be eligible for SNAP because they’re considered nutritional supplements and have a “Supplement Facts” label.

Frozen foods#frozen-foods

Your SNAP benefits cover a wide variety of frozen foods:

• Frozen fruits and vegetables
• Frozen meat, poultry, and seafood
• Frozen prepared meals
• Frozen breakfast items

Remember: You can't use SNAP benefits to buy hot, ready-to-eat pizza from restaurants or the prepared food section, but you can buy frozen pizza, pizza-making ingredients (dough, sauce, cheese, toppings) or cold, uncooked take-and-bake pizza.

Baby food and formula#baby-food-and-formula

Yes, baby food is eligible for SNAP, including:

• Infant formula
• Cereals
• Juices
• Baby food in pouches, boxes, or jars

Snack foods#snack-foods

You can buy chips and other snacks with SNAP, including:

• Potato chips and corn chips
• Cheese puffs
• Crackers
• Popcorn
• Pretzels
• Nuts and trail mix
• Granola bars
• Gummies and fruit snacks
• Cookies and baked goods
• Candy and chocolate

Cold, ready-to-eat foods#cold-ready-to-eat-foods

Cold, prepared foods are grocery and deli items that don't need additional preparation before eating. In general, prepared foods (hot or cold) that are meant to be eaten at the store are not SNAP-eligible. However, most prepared foods at grocery stores are considered SNAP-eligible because they're packaged to be taken home and eaten elsewhere.

For example, a pre-made deli sandwich that's packaged and refrigerated is typically SNAP-eligible because it's intended to be purchased and consumed once you leave the store. But a sandwich from an in-store café where seating is provided would not be eligible.

Some states allow you to buy cold prepared foods that are heated in-store after purchase (like microwavable pizzas, for example). Different states handle these rules differently, so check with a store manager if you’re unsure.

Depending on where you live, you can use your SNAP benefits to buy:

• Pre-made salads and salad kits
• Deli sandwiches and wraps (as long as they're sold cold)
• Pre-cut fruit and vegetable platters
• Sliced cheese and charcuterie platters
• Sliced deli meats
• Pre-made chicken, tuna, or egg salads
• Cold take-and-bake items (like uncooked pizza)

What food is not eligible for food stamps?#what-food-is-not-eligible-for-food-stamps

SNAP benefits don't cover:

• Hot prepared foods that are ready to eat, like hot rotisserie chicken, pizzas, or hot dogs
• Foods meant to be eaten in the store, like
• Vitamins, supplements, medicine, and other pharmacy items
• Household items like toilet paper, paper towels, or diapers
• Toiletries like shampoo and soap
• Alcohol and tobacco
• Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered before pickup)
• Pet food and treats

For help with pet food costs, check local food banks, animal shelters, and organizations like the Humane Society, which often have pet food assistance programs.

If you qualify for SNAP, see if you qualify for WIC or the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). WIC— the Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children—offers additional food benefits for people who are pregnant or caring for children under age five. You can get WIC and SNAP benefits at the same time.

The RMP allows people in select states who have limited ability to cook or who don't have permanent housing to spend their SNAP benefits on hot, prepared meals at participating restaurants.

For more tips on how to find food help, check out our full guide.