Snap benefits what can you buy

SNAP-Ed is administered by the states, but receives matching funding from the federal government. United States Department of Agriculture, Carlson, A. Washington, D. Cunnyngham, Karen E. Lavallee, Aaron. FACT vs. USDA Blog. Leftin, J. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. Food Research and Action Center, Texas Health and Human Services Commission. What is the average SNAP benefit? Where can SNAP benefits be used? What can SNAP benefits buy?

If you complete a purchase using one of our links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more about our editorial and advertising policies. The answer may surprise you! In addition to buying groceries and wholesome produce, your food stamps benefits can also be used to purchase:. One of the wisest ways to spend your SNAP dollars is buying produce-bearing plants! Growing your own food can save you a lot of money, in some cases! You can purchase vegetable seeds, herbs, fruit trees, tomato plants and vegetable starts with your food stamps benefits.

It makes sense that you can use your food stamps to grow your own food. Many retailers are unaware of this benefit, so you may need to refer them to this helpful resource! After receiving some great questions from our readers, we reached out to the USDA for clarification on this. This is the response I received via email:. Eligible seeds and plants include vegetable seeds and plants that produce food such as tomato and green pepper plants. Other eligible items include fruit trees, food-producing roots, bushes and bulbs such as asparagus roots and berry bushes.

Seeds and plants that produce cooking spices are also eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. Accordingly, some herb plants produce for consumption and are eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits, while others do not produce food for consumption and are not eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.

Each fresh herb plant sold at the market will have to be weighed under this factor to determine SNAP eligibility. Further detailed information about the challenges of restricting the use of SNAP benefits can be found here:. When considering the eligibility of energy drinks, and other branded products, the primary determinant is the type of product label chosen by the manufacturer to conform to Food and Drug Administration FDA guidelines:.

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