• Food stamps, provided under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, gives low-income individuals and families benefits to purchase food. These benefits are added to a food stamp card, known as a EBT card, every month as long as the individual or family is eligible to receive benefits.
  
  

Grocery Stores

• Food stamp benefits can be used to provide a wide range of food products for your home. The main food groups at grocery stores that are allowable under food stamp benefits are: bread, cereals, vegetables, meat and dairy. Plants and seeds that can be eaten, such as herbs, are also allowed. Generally, prepared food, such as deli sandwiches, cannot be purchased using the EBT card.
  
  

Farmers Markets

• Some farmers market vendors accept EBT cards, providing SNAP beneficiaries with a low cost, fresh food source. This initiative is generally put into place by the city or state that the farmers market is located in, so availability of this benefit depends greatly on your location.
  
  

Prohibited

• While food stamps have a large amount of flexibility when it comes to the types of food you can purchase, certain items are prohibited. Most prepared and hot foods are completely prohibited, as is alcohol and cigarettes. EBT cards also cannot be used for pet food. Non-food items cannot be purchased with the EBT card; this prohibition includes any medication.