SNAP-Eligible Foods: What You Can and Cannot Buy

 Being a client of SNAP has many benefits that often go unnoticed. You can purchase tickets to museums and cultural events at a discount, buy MBTA tickets at a lower fare, and more.

The primary benefit SNAP clients receive is funds on an EBT card that are reloaded monthly to purchase groceries every month. While these funds are flexible for both the types of groceries you purchase and where you purchase them from, there are a few important limitations to be aware of before you head to the checkout.

• Primarily, you can purchase groceries
  • The basics: like milk, eggs, fruit, vegetables, and snacks
  • And groceries that are appropriate to your cultural background, including chutney, berbere, kimchi, bolos levedos, etc. 
     

• Seeds for plants that produce food

  • Seeds for herbs, like basil plants

  • Seeds for plants that produce vegetables or fruit, like tomato plants

• Alcohol, Tobacco and Marijuana products

• Vitamins, supplements, or medications 

• Hot foods, like a cooked rotisserie chicken and a hot pizza. Many grocers have these kinds of foods, so be aware that SNAP will not be able to buy these foods.

• Pet foods 

• And finally, nonfood items, such as cleaning supplies, paper products, and hygiene products (like hand soaps and sanitizer)