Buying Food with SNAP

Eligible Food Items

Any food for the household, such as:

• Fruits and vegetables;
• Meat, poultry, and fish;
• Dairy products;
• Breads and cereals;
• Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and
• Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.

Households CANNOT use SNAP benefits to buy:

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements. If an item has a Supplement Facts label, it is considered a supplement and is not eligible for SNAP purchase.
• Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store).
• Foods that are hot at the point of sale
• Any nonfood items such as:
  - Pet foods  
  - Cleaning supplies, paper products, and other household supplies.
  - Hygiene items, cosmetics

Retailer Eligibility Resources

• What are Staple Foods?
• Prepared and Heated Foods 
• Accessory Foods List

​AskUSDA

If you have a question about the eligibility of product for purchase using SNAP benefits, read answers to popular questions in the AskUSDA  system.​  

Contact Us

• Email your question to: RPMDHQ-WEB@fns.usda.gov. 

For More Information

• All About Virginia SNAP Benefits