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You are here: Home > Food Stamp Program > Retailers
Food Stamp Program

Eligible Food Items

Households CAN use food stamp benefits to buy:

Foods for the household to eat, such as:

  • breads and cereals;

  • fruits and vegetables;

  • meats, fish and poultry; and

  • dairy products

Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat.

Households CANNOT use food stamp benefits to buy:

Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco;

Any nonfood items, such as:

  • pet foods;

  • soaps, paper products; and

  • household supplies.

Vitamins and medicines.

Food that will be eaten in the store.

Hot foods

In some areas, restaurants can be authorized to accept food stamp benefits from qualified homeless, elderly, or disabled people in exchange for low-cost meals. Food stamp benefits cannot be exchanged for cash.


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