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What can you buy with SNAP? Can you use food stamps for alcohol, cigarettes, 'junk' food?

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/30 .. ood-stamps-for-alcohol-cigarettes-junk-food.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, October 30th 2025 at 15:45 GMT by NorthJersey.com
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1. Core SNAP rules and what is allowed

At the heart of the article is the federal mandate that SNAP benefits can be used only to buy food items that are intended for home preparation and consumption. The following categories are explicitly permitted:

• Fresh produce (fruits and vegetables, both fresh and frozen)
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
• Bread and cereals
• Baking ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder)
• Canned, jarred, and packaged foods that are edible

All items that meet these criteria can be purchased at grocery stores, supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and food‑co‑ops that accept EBT cards. The article emphasizes that items like whole grains, beans, and nuts—common staples in many households—are included.

2. What SNAP cannot buy

The Chronicle clarifies several common myths and lists the types of products that remain off‑limits:

• Alcoholic beverages – no federal state can sell alcohol with SNAP dollars.
• Prepared foods – items sold at quick‑service restaurants (e.g., McDonald’s, Taco Bell) and fast‑food chains are disallowed because they are considered “pre‑made” or “cooked.”
• Non‑food items – pet food, household cleaners, paper goods, and any product that is not food is prohibited.
• Certain convenience‑store items – candy, sugary drinks, and snack foods in candy and soda bags that are sold as individual pre‑packed items are generally not permissible. However, packaged snack foods like chips that come in a box can be bought if they are intended for home use.

The article notes that some states allow the purchase of certain prepared foods under the “Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children” (WIC) and other local programs, but these remain separate from SNAP.

3. The special case of WIC

While SNAP covers a broad range of grocery items, WIC focuses on nutrition for low‑income pregnant or postpartum women, infants, and children under five. The Chronicle explains that WIC benefits can be used to buy:

• Breast‑milk substitutes (formula)
• Whole‑milk products for children
• Fresh produce (focusing on fruits and vegetables)
• Fortified foods (e.g., enriched breads, cereals)

Unlike SNAP, WIC is more restrictive in terms of allowable items but can cover certain food categories that SNAP excludes, such as whole milk for infants and specific infant foods. The article cites recent policy changes that expanded the range of permitted foods to address gaps in child nutrition.

4. EBT card usage in everyday shopping

The article explains how Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards function as a debit‑card interface for SNAP and WIC. It highlights that:

• Retailers must use point‑of‑sale scanners to read the barcode on the card. The system automatically deducts the purchase amount from the user’s balance.
• Cash withdrawal is prohibited unless the state has a cash‑back feature on the card. In New Jersey, the EBT can be used for cash withdrawals only at select bank ATMs or grocery stores that offer a “cash‑back” option, but the cash is typically limited and subject to a fee.
• Online purchases are generally prohibited for SNAP; however, some online retailers accept EBT for grocery items under specific circumstances (e.g., the Food Distribution Network’s website).

The article emphasizes that many consumers are unaware of these nuances, which can lead to confusion at the register.

5. Recent policy updates and local initiatives

The Chronicle cites a 2025 New Jersey state budget that allocated additional funding to expand the number of retailers accepting EBT, including:

• Chain grocery stores – all major supermarkets are now required to have EBT terminals.
• Farmers’ markets – the state incentivizes vendors to install EBT machines to boost local farm sales.
• Community food banks – receiving increased subsidies to purchase bulk staples for SNAP recipients.

Additionally, the article discusses a pilot program in the city of Paterson that allows participants to buy “ready‑to‑eat” meals (e.g., pre‑cooked rice bowls) using SNAP benefits, a controversial move that could set a precedent for other municipalities.

6. Practical tips for consumers

To help readers navigate the system, the article offers actionable advice:

1. Check the receipt – if a cashier asks whether a prepared food item is permissible, it is safer to decline if the item is a quick‑service dish.
2. Use the mobile app – New Jersey’s “SNAP‑Finder” app lists participating retailers and displays their EBT acceptance status.
3. Plan ahead – if you need alcohol for a special event, consider purchasing it from a licensed retailer with a separate card or using a non‑SNAP payment method.
4. Track your balance – EBT cards display a balance after each transaction, which helps avoid overdrafts that can lead to declined purchases.

7. Community response and advocacy

The article concludes with interviews from SNAP recipients who share their experiences. One longtime participant in Passaic County explains how the expansion of EBT acceptance at local farmers’ markets has allowed her family to purchase fresh produce at lower prices. Conversely, another resident in Bergen County expresses frustration at the continued prohibition on buying ready‑to‑eat meals, citing the rising cost of fresh groceries.

Advocacy groups, including the North Jersey Food Bank and the New Jersey Coalition for Food Security, are pushing for further reforms, arguing that allowing a broader range of prepared foods would reduce food waste and improve nutritional outcomes for low‑income households.

8. Bottom line

The article offers a clear, up‑to‑date snapshot of the current rules governing SNAP, WIC, and EBT usage in North Jersey. While federal policy sets the baseline—prohibiting alcohol and most prepared foods—state initiatives and local programs are slowly expanding the options available to recipients. Consumers are urged to stay informed, use available resources, and advocate for policies that make healthy food more accessible and affordable.