What products can be purchased with SNAP coupons to prepare a Christmas dinner?
Christmas is almost here, and if you are still rushing to prepare for your holiday meals, here’s what you can buy with SNAP benefits to cook up dinner.
Christmas Day is almost upon us, so it’s time to wrap up preparations for the celebration. That includes buying everything you need to prepare Christmas dinner, which will cost a little more compared to the past year.
According to a data analysis and forecast by Category Partners, the purchase price of this year’s Christmas dinner at a supermarket will be 6.6% higher than in 2022.
A basic Christmas dinner purchased at a supermarket in 2023 will cost approximately $50.56 for a family of four, while last year, the average was $47.25. For a more affordable feast, qualified families can use their food stamps.
Recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, can use them to buy certain ingredients.
What products can be purchased with SNAP coupons to prepare a Christmas dinner?
According to the website of the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, you can buy the following food items for the home with the EBT card:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry and fish
- Dairy products
- Breads and cereals
- Other foods such as snacks and non-alcoholic drinks
- Seeds and plants, which produce food for the home
Because many foods qualify for the SNAP program, you will be able to purchase several items for Christmas dinner, such as ham, stuffing ingredients, cranberry sauce, potatoes and other vegetables, cheese, turkey, fruit, bread, butter, eggs, snacks, condiments, fruit punch and other non-alcoholic beverages.
As for what you cannot buy, recipients cannot use the EBT card to purchase beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco, vitamins, medications and supplements, hot foods or any non-food items, such as cleaning supplies and hygiene items.
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States still sending payments before the end of 2023
Most states have already sent out SNAP benefits for December, which can be used for Christmas shopping. There are only two states that have yet to finish sending out payments: EBT deposits in Florida and Texas will continue until December 28.