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Although bakery-cafes like Panera Bread don’t accept EBT cards for baked goods, many other places do, including bakeries, bakery outlets, and bakery departments in grocery stores, as long as they are authorized SNAP retailers.
Items such as bread, cookies, and cake are eligible for purchase with EBT cards at these authorized retailers. It’s important to note that the list includes bakeries that accept EBT and specifies places to avoid. Additionally, while national and regional stores are listed, it’s advisable to inquire with locally-owned bakeries to confirm if they accept EBT as well.
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Bakeries that accept EBT near me
We contacted each of the following bakeries to confirm they accept EBT by getting in touch with their customer service departments and checking theSNAP Retailer Locator.
The list of bakeries is arranged based on the number of states they operate in, making it easier for you to find the bakery closest to your location. To find the bakeries operating in your state, you can use the Ctrl+F (or Command+F on Mac) function to search for your state’s abbreviation in the list.
The provided list features 35 popular bakeries, grocery stores with bakeries, and outlets across the United States that accept food stamp payments (also known as SNAP or EBT). Here’s an expanded breakdown of the mentioned establishments:
- Meijer: A family-owned chain of supercenters originating in Michigan, present in several states including IN, KY, WI, IL, and OH.
- Great Harvest Bread Company: This retailer exclusively focuses on bakeries and boasts over 200 locations throughout the U.S.
- Walmart: Known for competitive pricing, Walmart has stores in all 50 states and around the world.
- Kroger: A nationwide chain offering various brands like Ralphs, Fred Meyer, and Baker’s, with bakeries available across their locations.
- Aunt Millie’s Bakery Outlet: Found in IN, MI, and OH, Aunt Millie’s outlets are a favorite among bakery enthusiasts.
- Whole Foods: Present in 40 states, Whole Foods offers EBT-accepted products through Amazon’s grocery delivery service.
- WinCo Foods: Accepts EBT and provides special offers, primarily located across various states.
- Food Giant: With over 100 locations in multiple states such as AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, MO, MS, and TN.
- Vons: Originating as a neighborhood store, Vons is now in California and Nevada.
- ShopRite: Operating over 500 stores across CT, DE, MD, NJ, NY, and PA, known for its vast customer base.
- Piggly Wiggly: A pioneer in self-service grocery stores, present in over 15 states, offering special discount days.
- Winn-Dixie: A southern chain found in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, and Mississippi.
- Food Lion: Predominantly in southern states like DE, GA, KY, MD, NC, PA, SC, TN, VA, and WV.
- Fred Meyer: Merged with Kroger, some stores retain the original name, primarily in the Pacific Northwest.
- Wegmans: Known for healthy and organic products, primarily found in the northeast states.
- Franz Bakery Outlets: Holding a Guinness World Record, these outlets span several states including AK, CA, ID, MT, OR, UT, and WA.
- Hy-Vee: Known for their slogan, Hy-Vee operates in IL, IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, SD, and WI.
- Publix: Recognized for fresh bread subs and bakery cookies, available in AL, FL, GA, NC, SC, TN, and VA.
- Aldi: A global discount store in 36 states and across the world.
- Bimbo Bakery Outlets: Widely known for Bimbo bread, these outlets are available in over 20 states.
- Tops Friendly Markets: Found in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
- Albertsons: Established for almost a century, present in various states like AZ, AR, CA, CO, ID, LA, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, TX, UT, WA, and WY.
- Pepperidge Farm Outlet Stores: Offering fresh and natural flavors, these stores provide convenience across different locations.
- Safeway: As the third-largest supermarket chain in the U.S. and North America, Safeway operates in multiple states including AK, AZ, CA, CO, DE, HI, ID, MD, MT, NE, NV, NM, OR, SD, VA, WA, and WY.
The mentioned establishments are diverse in their offerings, locations, and specialties but share the commonality of accepting food stamp payments, providing accessible options for individuals using SNAP or EBT benefits.
SNAP-approved bakery items
When it comes to buying bakery items with your EBT card, it’s essential to choose items that are approved under SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Your EBT card can only be used to pay for specific items that are considered SNAP-approved.
At locations that accept SNAP payments, you can purchase various bakery items like cookies, cakes, pies, donuts, different types of bread (such as buns, rolls, biscuits, loaves, and bagels), danishes, cinnamon rolls, tortillas, muffins, cupcakes, and snack cakes using your EBT card. Remember, it’s important to be mindful of the approved items when making your selections.
Non-approved bakery items
In bakeries, certain items are considered SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)-approved foods, which means they can be bought using the program benefits. Typically, these are standard bakery items without personalized features. For instance, you can buy a regular cake for an occasion like a birthday or celebration, but you might not be able to customize it with a specific message or select unique flavors using SNAP benefits.
However, when bakeries offer items specifically designed for decorating pastries, these are classified as non-food items under SNAP regulations. Consequently, they cannot be purchased using an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. To work around this restriction, you can opt to create your frosting at home using basic ingredients, which is an easy solution that aligns with SNAP rules.
An important guideline to keep in mind is that if a bakery item carries a nutritional label, it’s likely considered a food item and can be bought using an EBT card. This label provides information about the product’s nutritional content, allowing it to meet the criteria for SNAP-approved purchases.
How to pay with EBT at a bakery
Paying with your EBT card at a bakery involves a few simple steps:
- Know Your Balance: Keep track of your SNAP balance, which you can usually check online through your state’s SNAP portal or by calling a number on your EBT card. Make sure you’re aware of how much is available before making purchases.
- Notify the Cashier: Inform the cashier that you’ll be using your EBT card for payment. This step helps in identifying SNAP-approved items. If you plan to buy both SNAP and non-SNAP items, you’ll need to pay separately for each category.
- Ask About Return Policy: Inquire about the bakery’s return policy for items purchased with EBT. It might differ from the policy for other items in the store.
- Use Your EBT Card: When prompted by the cashier, insert, tap, or swipe your EBT card at the payment machine and enter your 4-digit PIN. Ensure you remember your PIN, choosing a memorable but secure combination. Once your PIN is entered correctly, the transaction will be completed for the SNAP-eligible items.
- Pay for Non-SNAP Items: If you’re purchasing non-SNAP items, you’ll need another payment method like cash, debit/credit card, or checks to cover the cost. The cashier will prompt you to pay separately for these items.
By following these steps, you can efficiently use your EBT card for SNAP-approved bakery purchases and handle any non-SNAP items with an alternative payment method.
Ordering bakery items online with EBT
In recent years, more families have chosen the convenience of online grocery shopping to save time and effort. Even for those on a budget, it’s now possible to purchase SNAP-eligible items online through specific retailers.
One such example is Amazon groceries, which allows EBT payments for certain products, including items from the 365 – Whole Foods exclusive brand. Although you might still need to cover the delivery costs separately, placing a substantial food order online can spare you from a tiring and demanding visit to the grocery store.
What food can you buy with an EBT card?
An EBT card, used for SNAP benefits, allows you to buy certain types of food to prepare at home. This includes essentials like cereal, bread, meat, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and seeds or plants for growing food.
However, it’s crucial to note that you can’t use SNAP benefits to buy items like cigarettes, alcohol, hot prepared food at the store, household supplies, paper products, convenience foods, vitamins, or medicine. Knowing these guidelines helps avoid any confusion or discomfort when making purchases at the register.
How to save more money while grocery shopping
To save more money while grocery shopping, consider various money-saving tactics beyond regular prices. Look out for discounts, sales, and coupons, commonly found in local newspapers or at the store entrances. However, be cautious of marketing strategies; not all labeled “sale” items truly offer savings—some stores use tags to highlight their regular low prices.
Opt for generic brands, often located on higher or lower shelves, as they’re often comparable in quality to pricier name brands. These alternatives can save you nearly half the cost without compromising much on quality.
Additionally, inquire at your preferred supermarkets about rewards programs or free memberships that offer points, cashback, or exclusive deals for loyal customers. These initiatives can help you save more on future purchases.
Applying for SNAP
If you believe you qualify for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) but haven’t applied yet, there are steps you can take. First, make sure your income meets the federal guidelines set for SNAP eligibility. You can find these guidelines to determine if your income falls within the specified limit.
If you are eligible based on these guidelines, you can locate the SNAP program in your area using the USDA Locator tool. Once you’ve found the relevant program, you can start the application process either by filling out the form online through their website or by visiting a nearby local SNAP office in person.
The bottom line
There are several bakeries, including places like Whole Foods and WinCo, accept EBT payments. This means you can use your SNAP benefits to buy bread, cakes, cookies, and similar items at these bakeries, along with purchasing healthy foods from various retailers across the U.S.
It’s suggested to opt for generic bakery items since personalized cakes and pastries might come with additional costs. For more information on purchasing cakes using SNAP benefits, there’s additional guidance available.
To save more while using SNAP benefits, consider combining them with coupons, taking advantage of sales, and utilizing free grocery store memberships. Additionally, there are other blog articles available with helpful tips for saving money.
