Can you buy sushi with EBT?
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Yes, you can buy sushi with EBT (also called SNAP) at SNAP-eligible grocery stores and retailers. But, it must be cold and pre-packaged.
Why is sushi SNAP-eligible?#why-is-sushi-snap-eligible
Grocery store sushi is SNAP-eligible under federal law because it is a cold, grab-and-go item typically found in the refrigerated section, not one that is prepared and served to order by the retailer.
This means that if a grocery store offers a warm sushi roll or has a made-to-order sushi bar, those items are not SNAP-eligible. Food that is served hot or prepared and served to order by the retailer (ex- food from a made-to-order sushi bar or hot food counter) can’t be purchased with SNAP.
Why can’t I buy hot prepared foods at grocery stores?#why-cant-i-buy-hot-prepared-foods-at-grocery-stores
SNAP helps people buy groceries to make meals at home, not to cover the cost of meals or drinks on the go. Federal rules ban hot and prepared foods (or drinks) from being purchased with food stamps on your EBT card, even at stores that take EBT.
Exceptions to the hot-prepared foods rule include:
- States that have the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) and qualify for it
- Having a Disaster SNAP hot foods waiver in an area with a declared emergency
- Using EBT cash through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
How to buy sushi with EBT#how-to-buy-sushi-with-ebt
You can use an EBT card to purchase sushi at a grocery store. Simply use your EBT card at checkout, including self-checkout.
Other ready-to-eat SNAP-eligible foods#other-ready-to-eat-snap-eligible-foods
Sushi isn’t the only cold, ready-to-eat item that’s SNAP-eligible at grocery stores. You can also buy:
- Cold cuts
- Cheese slices
- Pre-made salads
- Hummus and dips
- Cold sandwiches and wraps (from a cooler, not the hot bar)
- Yogurt parfaits
- Fruit cups
Remember, items can be eligible or ineligible, based on whether they’re served cold or hot. For example, a prepared deli sandwich in a cooler at the grocery store is SNAP-eligible, but the same sandwich heated up at the deli counter is not.
As a general rule, if a food has a “Nutrition Facts” label and you can eat it, you can buy it with SNAP.
