Does Grocery Outlet Take EBT Card / SNAP OR Food Stamp – Have you heard about Grocery Outlet? Then you must know it is a series of discount markets scattered throughout America and runs nearly 400+ locations in six U.S. states across the country. Grocery Outlet accepts a variety of payment options to provide convenience and flexibility to its customers including debit cards, visa cards and more. But do they accept EBT or food stamps?
Fortunately, Grocery Outlet accepts food stamps or EBT benefits at all their store locations throughout the country to help low-income households access nutritious and healthy food items. EBT card holders can use their food stamps only in physical Grocery Outlet stores at the checkout counters. In this comprehensive guide, we will help you to answer the most frequent question among SNAP recipients “Does Grocery Outlet take EBT” and will provide you details about how you can use your EBT card at Grocery Outlet to stretch your food budget.
Highlights of this Post
What Are Food Stamps/ SNAP/ EBT?
The Electronic Benefits Transfer or EBT card works similarly to a debit or credit card and works at authorized retail stores, grocery stores, convenience markets, gas stations, pharmacies or drugstores and in some cases authorized fast food restaurants.
To receive EBT benefits candidates have to meet certain eligibility criteria to their citizenship or residency, income, household size and work requirements. Low-income households who are living below the poverty line are qualified for the SNAP EBT program. Both EBT and SNAP are the updated version of the Food Stamps Program.
Do you love to shop with HelloFresh and want to know whether they accept EBT or not? Learn about HelloFresh and its EBT policies in our next guide.
What Is A Grocery Outlet?
A discounted grocery supermarket that sells branded items and private label products at cheaper rates or closeout prices to low-income households and individuals in America is known as a Grocery Outlet. They provide access to necessary and basic essentials that are available at the convenience of customers and are also sourced within the local community.
They have a 100% guarantee for products purchased and provide organic and natural products to the community. The American discount closeout retailer consists of supermarket locations that provide overstocked, deeply discounted and closeout products from private label and name brand suppliers.
Some of the products available at Grocery Outlet are bakery, dairy, dairy, meat, general grocery, frozen food, fresh produce, meat, beer, wine and snacks. Most of the Grocery Outlet stores are operated independently by locally based married couples and each store has flexibility in its product offerings.
Do you know whether Rite Aid accept food stamps or not? Read more about it in our next guide.
How Many Grocery Outlet Stores Are There In The United States Of America?
As of 2nd April 2024, there are 480 Grocery Outlet stores throughout the United States of America. The US state and territory with the most number of nursery outlet store locations in America is California with approximately 272 stores and this accounts for 57% of the entire Grocery Outlet stores in America.
All the locations are present in 10 U.S. states and territories or 400 U.S. cities. Let’s take a look at the following top states and territories with the maximum number of Grocery Outlet stores.
- California– 272 or 57% of the U.S Grocery Outlet Stores.
- Washington- 73 or 15% of the U.S Grocery Outlet Stores
- Oregon– 61 or 13% of the U.S Grocery Outlet Stores
- Pennsylvania– 34 or 7% of the U.S Grocery Outlet Stores
- Idaho– 14 or 3% of the U.S Grocery Outlet Stores
- Nevada– 11 or 2% of the U.S Grocery Outlet Stores
- Maryland– 8 or 2% of the U.S Grocery Outlet Stores
- New Jersey– 5 or 1% of the U.S Grocery Outlet Stores
- Delaware– 1 or 0% of the U.S Grocery Outlet Stores
- Ohio– 1 or 0% of the U.S Grocery Outlet Stores.
The States and territories without any grocery outlet stores are: Rhode Island, Indiana, New Mexico, Montana, the US Virgin Island, North Dakota, the Northern Mariana Islands, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Missouri, Massachusetts, Texas, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, South Dakota, Vermont, Arkansas, Alabama, Michigan, North Carolina, Louisiana, Illinois, Florida, Mississippi, West Virginia, Colorado, District of Columbia, Oklahoma, American Samoa, Wyoming, South Carolina, Arizona, Wisconsin, Kansas, New York, Georgia And Maine.
The US cities with the most number of Grocery Outlet stores in America are Sacramento, Philadelphia, San Jose, Portland, San Francisco, San Diego, Fresno, Long Beach, Seattle, and Tacoma.
You can also read about whether the popular warehouse company Costco accepts EBT or not in our next guide.
Why Consider Grocery Outlets For Shopping?
Grocery Outlet is a cheaper and reliable choice when it comes to shopping for necessary products. Private label items and name brands that have additional inventory generally sell their products to the outlets at discounted rates. If you’re fortunate to live near one of the Grocery Outlet stores in the aforementioned states or cities then you can find branded items at 40% to 70% discounted rate.
Grocery Outlet works with branded companies who are changing packaging, have seasonal closeouts or excess inventory and purchase food and beverages at extremely discounted rates. Outlets are often compared to Dollar Stores that sell products at discounted rates. Let’s take a look at the following benefits of shopping at Grocery Outlet stores.
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Lower Prices
The key benefit of shopping at Grocery Outlet is getting lower prices on a variety of products. The stores sell items at a discounted rate, unlike other traditional retailers which will help you to save your dollars on purchases. EBT card holders who are shopping at Grocery Outlet with their EBT benefits can stretch their food budget.
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Extensive Variety Of Products
Grocery Outlet provides a wide array of products and groceries. You can get amazing discount deals on the items. EBT cardholders can get all SNAP-eligible items from Grocery Outlet stores; you can also get brand-name products that would have been more expensive elsewhere. In a nutshell you can enjoy the prestige and quality associated with the brands at a fraction of the cost.
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Special Deals And Promotions
Grocery outlets often provide special deals and promotions to attract customers and help them to boost their savings. They provide seasonal discounts, clearance sales or exclusive offers for their customers. You can sign up for a loyalty program at a discount
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Convenience
Grocery outlets are located throughout the United States of America which makes it easy for EBT cardholders to shop without traveling long distances. You can find a Grocery Outlet store within your neighborhood. In some cases, you can find limited editions or unique products that are not available in traditional retail stores.
Can I Use My EBT Card At Grocery Outlets?
Yes, EBT cards are accepted at any Grocery Outlet store across the country. SNAP recipients can make eligible purchases like bread, dairy products, cereal, meat, fruits or vegetables, spices, sauces, and rice from Grocery Outlet with their SNAP Benefits for in-store purchases.
However, there are also certain restrictions on the type of goods that you can buy with your EBT card at grocery outlets. For example, you are not allowed to order online or use your EBT for online grocery pickup and or delivery services. EBT or food stamps are accepted at all Grocery Outlet stores across six states.
How To Pay With Food Stamps Or EBT At Grocery Outlet?
Paying with EBT or food stamps at Grocery Outlet is easier and pretty simple. If you know the payment process with debit or credit card you can pay with food stamps or EBT. Follow the below-mentioned steps to pay for it at any Grocery Outlet.
- Head over to any Point of Sale at Grocery Outlet store location
- Give your EBT cards to the cashier or store representative
- The representative of the cashier will swipe or insert your EBT card and you will be asked to enter the four-digit secret PIN to authorize the transaction
- Once you provide the four-digit PIN ensure the payment amount is correct
- Do not forget to take your receipt after a successful payment transaction.
How To Save Your Dollars While Shopping At A Grocery Outlet?
There are various easy and quick ways to ensure you are getting the essentials at a lower rate. Follow the below-mentioned steps to save your dollars and stretch your food budget further.
- Shop at Grocery Outlet every week to get new deals and stock up on necessary items that you need for your household
- Register for Wow Alerts
- Sign up for an email list to get store coupons and an instant $3 coupon on signing up with Grocery Outlet.
- Pay attention to sticker labels that say elsewhere price or wow for better deals
- Follow Grocery Outlet on social media platforms to get the latest updates on ongoing sale items and discount deals.
Which Items Are Eligible For Purchase With EBT At Grocery Outlet?
Let’s take a look at the following items that you can purchase with your EBT card at Grocery Outlet.
- Cereals and crackers
- Milk
- Cakes and cookies
- Cooking oil
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat and poultry
- Juice non-carbonated and shelf-stable
- Peanut butter
- Soy and tofu products
- Yogurt or cheese
- Pasta, tortillas and rice
- Lentils and canned fish
- Baby formula
- Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants to produce food.
Which Items Are Not Eligible For EBT Purchase At Grocery Outlet?
Following is a short list of detailed items that you cannot purchase with EBT at Grocery Outlet stores.
- Alcoholic beverages like beer, wine and liquor
- Cigarette and tobacco-containing products
- Pet foods
- Drugs, vitamins, medicines and supplements
- Clothing
- Anything bearing a Supplement Facts label on the bottle
- Cosmetics and skincare products
- Lottery tickets
- Gas
- Household items
- Sanitary and hygiene products
- Live animals (except shellfish and fish)
- Paper products
- Cleaning supplies
- Hot-prepared food items.
What Are The Payment Methods Accepted At Grocery Outlet?
Grocery Outlet focuses on providing diverse payment methods to accommodate different shoppers’ needs and preferences. From traditional methods to digital platforms in the below section we will help you to explore the different payment options available at the Grocery Outlet.
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Major credit and debit cards
- Cash
- Personal check
- EBT cards
The availability of a particular payment option like Google Pay, Apple Pay and others may vary from one Grocery Outlet location to another and are subject to transaction limitation.
It is important to note that Grocery Outlet is not accepting manufacturer coupons as a method of payment since they are already selling top-brand products at extremely discounted rates. You can sign up to get Grocery Outlet information about wine tasting, special buys, grocery outlet sponsored coupons and store events through email.
Can I Purchase Hot Prepared Meals From Grocery Outlets?
Grocery Outlet is not only known for its SNAP-eligible food items and groceries but also for hot-prepared meals that offer a variety of delicious recipes to its customers. Unfortunately, you cannot cover the cost of prepared meals with your EBT card since the SNAP program allows beneficiaries to use their EBT cards for the purchase of SNAP-eligible goods and this does not cover ready-to-eat hot prepared meals.
In some cases, EBT card holders in RMP-approved states can use their food stamps to purchase hot-prepared meals. If you’re living in one of these days then you can contact the Grocery Outlet near you to confirm their RMP policies.
Let’s take a look at the following meals or recipes available at Grocery Outlet from their deli section:
Steak bite, salads, delicious beef recipes, taco bowls, spaghetti, chicken and rice, smoothie bowl, mushroom, vegan food, a variety of chicken dishes, cookies, pasta, mac and cheese, burritos, pie, chicken fingers, salads grilled watermelon spritzers, variety of ham recipes, roll ups, guacamole, chocolate pudding, smoothies, cakes, coleslaw, Turkey dishes, stuffed avocados casserole cookies, sandwich, cutlets, pudding, burger wraps, fish and chips, salsa, vegan dishes, sandwich, tortilla chips, donuts, sweet potato, roasted potato, and so on. This is not an exhaustive list as there are tons of delicious hot prepared meals that are available at the deli section of Grocery Outlet.
Unfortunately, you cannot enjoy these food items since Grocery Outlet is not enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program. Nevertheless, you can enjoy these food items using an alternate source of payment like debit or credit card, E-wallet or cash.
Do Grocery Outlet Stores Take EBT Or Food Stamps Online?
Grocery Outlet is not accepting EBT cards or food stamps online. You can use your food stamp benefits at any Grocery Outlet store by using the physical card and be sure to make in-store purchases.
This is because the supermarket chain is not enrolled in the USDA Online Purchasing Pilot Program like Amazon, Instacart, DoorDash or Walmart. You can however make online orders from Grocery Outlets through UberEats, DoorDash and mobile apps using an alternate source of payment like debit or credit card.
Do you know which retailers in California accept EBT payments? Head over to our next guide to learn about the comprehensive list.
Alternate Affordable Grocery Stores/ Retailers That Accept EBT
SNAP recipients who are looking to expand their EBT shopping experience can consider the following alternate affordable grocery stores that accept payments.
Walmart
Walmart provides a subscription-based membership program known as Walmart + that offers a plethora of advantages to its customers including unlimited free delivery on food items.
In select states, Walmart + accepts EBT as a method of payment for online grocery orders. This enables SNAP beneficiaries to take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of grocery delivery with their best benefits.
ALDI
If you enjoy shopping for groceries and food items at ALDI you will be pleased to know that ALDI accepts SNAP EBT payments for in-store purchases, grocery pickup as well as delivery orders throughout America.
It is a well-known grocery store chain in America that accepts EBT or SNAP benefits cards. ALDI is not only popular for its affordable prices on household items and groceries but has also gained recognition for its commitment to providing healthy food options to its in-store brand products.
Dollar General
Dollar stores are an amazing way for you to save your hard-earned money on essentials and groceries and a lot of EBT recipients prefer to shop with Dollar Stores with their food stamp funds.
A lot of Dollar General prices are comparatively lower than other grocery stores so you can get food items at competitive prices and stretch your food budget further.
Dollar Tree
A popular shopping destination among Americans is Dollar Tree stores. Customers not only find a variety of items here for just $1 but various goods at different price points to provide affordable products in a huge range in several different categories.
With more than 4000 stores located throughout 48 States and Canada Dollar Tree is an excellent resource for poor households in the USA with an excellent selection of staple food, refrigerated and freezer food which is uncommon for general Dollar Stores.
Family Dollar
Family Dollar has nearly 7000 store locations across 45 states in America. They have a wide grocery selection, unlike other dollar stores on the list.
While some locations are accepting EBT some may not accept so call your local Family Dollar store to find additional details. The chain carries a wide array of products that meet USDA SNAP requirements and serves ground beef, dairy products, frozen entrees, hot dogs, canned pasta, snack food, bacon etc.
Target
Target accepts an online SNAP payment option to provide more convenience to its customers through its delivery service known as Shipt. You need to create an account at target.com to use your EBT card and then place an order. The same-day grocery delivery at target.com comes for $9.9. Shipt members get free deliveries on orders above $35.
A few more grocery stores that are accepting EBT throughout the country are as follows:
- Amazon
- HEB
- Instacart
- Whole Foods Market
- Harris Teeter
- Wegmans
- Weis Markets
- Whole Foods
- Jewel-Osco
- King Soopers
- DoorDash
- Kings Food Markets
- Kroger
- Safeway
- Acme Markets
- AJ’s Fine Foods
- Albertsons
- Speedway
- Associated Food Stores
- Bashas
- Big Y Foods
- Foodtown
- Fred Meyer
- Stater Bros
- Fry’s Food Stores
- Giant Eagle
- Giant Food
- Hannaford Supermarkets
- Lowe’s Grocery
- 99 Ranch Market
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Bravo Supermarkets
- Brookshire’s
- Smart and Final
- City Market
- Dillons Stores
- Meijer
- Piggly Wiggly
- Pick N Save
- Price Chopper
- Walgreens
- Fareway Meat & Grocery
- Fine Fare Supermarkets
- Food 4 Less
- Food City
- Sprouts
- Food Lion
- Publix
- QFC Supermarkets
- Raley’s
- Shaw’s
- Instacart
- ShopRite
- Smith’s Food and Drug
- WinCo
- Ralphs
- Save Mart
- Schnucks Market
- CVS
- Stop & Shop
- Super 1 Foods
- H Mart
- Kroger
- Jubilee Foods
- Superior Grocers
- Tops Markets
- Trader Joe’s
- Vons
- Publix etc.
Read about the comprehensive list of SNAP-eligible goods and grocery stores that accept EBT payments online in our next guide.
Conclusion
To sum up, Grocery Outlet accepts EBT cards as a method of payment so SNAP recipients can enjoy their discounted quality products with food stamp benefits. Our guide has helped you to maximize your shopping experience with food stamps at Grocery Outlet and also helped you explore alternative affordable grocery stores or retailers that cater to EBT cardholders. However, if you are planning to shop with your ebt card at Grocery Outlet you must know the type of products that you can and cannot purchase with your EBT benefits. The grocery chain is also known for its incredible discount on branded products. When you combine the discounted products and deal with your EBT benefits you enjoy maximum savings here. Grocery outlets’ store section stands for natural organic speciality and helps provide a variety of health focus and organic products at cheaper rates. SNAP recipients can make healthier choices without breaking the bank by making a purchase from this section.
Our comprehensive guide at Get Government Grants will help you to make the best decision for yourself and your family. Head over to our blog section today to improve the financial situation of your family. We are passionate about helping people find relevant answers to their questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Grocery Outlet Accept Apple Pay?
Yes, grocery outlets accept various forms of payment such as all major US and Canada debit and credit cards, PayPal, klarna, Apple Pay, Google Pay and EBT cards as participating stores.
Does Grocery Outlet Provide Additional Discounts For SNAP Recipients?
No Grocery Outlet does not provide any discounts for EBT cardholders. They already have discounted prices on their products and frequent promotions or sales make it an affordable and go-to shopping destination for everybody.
Are There Any Limitations On Buying Clearance Items With Your EBT Card At Grocery Outlet?
No, there isn’t any specific restriction on purchasing clearance items as long as the products are SNAP-eligible. The standard limitation on SNAP-ineligible items includes non-food items, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and hot prepared food.
Can I Check My EBT Balance At Grocery Outlet?
Grocery Outlet does not provide a direct way to check EBT balance at its stores. You can find the remaining balance at the bottom of your EBT receipt after making approaches with your food stamp benefits. Also contact the customer service number located on the back of your EBT card or check your account online through the state EBT portal.