Does Gordon Food Service Store Take EBT Cards or Snap – When it comes to shopping for healthier and nutritious food with SNAP EBT funds to feed your family, access to a participating grocery store within your neighborhood is critical. Those who have previously shopped with Gordon Food Service know that Gordon is a popular food service distributor that offers a wide range of products and goods. If you are a SNAP EBT recipient then you would be curious to know whether Gordon Food Service accepts SNAP, food stamps or EBT benefits.
Similar to ALDI and Whole Foods you can buy SNAP-eligible food items and groceries from Gordon Food Service with the help of your EBT card. Gordon Food Service makes it simpler for individuals to get the things they need and maximize SNAP benefits, however there are certain considerations that you have to know while using your EBT card at Gordon. This comprehensive guide will discuss how you can use your EBT card at Gordon Food Service.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- Gordon Food Service accepts EBT cards at most locations nationwide.
- Only SNAP-approved groceries can be purchased with EBT benefits.
- Hot meals, prepared foods, and non-food items cannot be bought with EBT.
- Online EBT purchases are possible through Instacart (delivery fees apply).
What Is The SNAP/ EBT Program?
The acronym SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was previously known as Food Stamp and it is a federal initiative that offers funds to each state for food assistance. The state distributes the government SNAP funds to the beneficiaries using EBT cards.
Approximately 248,000 vendors throughout America accept EBT or SNAP benefits. If you want to know whether you can qualify for EBT, SNAP or not then you can check out the federal guidelines to see if you can meet the criteria and make sure your income falls within a particular threshold. The Electronic Benefits Transfer Card gets automatically refilled each month with SNAP benefits and allows SNAP beneficiaries to buy eligible food from specific retailers.
What Is Gordon?
Gordon Food Service is a popular food service distributor based in Wyoming MI and serves customers in the Midwest, Northeast, Southwest and the Southeast parts of the United States including Coast to Coast in Canada. 175 Gordon Food Service store locations throughout the United States of America provide a wide array of fresh quality produce and foods.
The stores are open seven days a week for the public without requiring any membership fee. The store carries plenty of popular Gordon Food Service products at a reasonable price. Following are the states where Gordon Food Service operates its store and serves customers.
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Missouri
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Alabama
- Wisconsin
As per reports of Forbes, Gordon Food Service is the 22nd biggest privately held firm in America and Cisco and U.S. Foods are its two fiercest competitors. The company prides itself on providing 125 years of expertise, quality and excellence to its customers. This largest family-run food distribution company located in North America has been in operation since 1897 and is known for delivering superior food in all its store locations.
Read also: What can you Shop Online With EBT?
What Food Products And Services Are Provided By Gordon?
Gordon Food Services is committed to providing high-quality and safe food to all its customers so they have a dedicated team of well-trained quality assurance specialists who ensure food safety and quality before serving customers. Following is the list of products that you can find at Gordon Food Service store locations.
Appetizers, Entrees And Sides
Gordon Food Service offers an extensive choice of ready-to-sort products including appetizers like egg rolls and spring rolls, entries like Italian, Asian or American classics, soups, potato salads, rice and stuffing and vegetarian options.
Bakery Products
Gordon Food Service offers wholesale bakery products such as bagels, muffins, pastries, breads, rolls, crossings, brownies, bars, cookies, buns, cakes, gelatins, pudding, ice cream, price, tarts, pie crusts, pizza, toppings and cones.
Beef Items
Gordon Food Service provides wholesale beef products such as Cubed, Diced, Stew, Kabob, Ground beef, Sliced beef, Roast and boxed beef, Steak etc.
Beverages
Customers can get complete and on-trend solutions to their beverage needs such as mixes and drink bases, soft drinks, coffee, cappuccino, fruit juices, drinks, beverage condiments, cocoa, sports and energy drinks, tea and water.
Fruits And Vegetables
Gordon Food Service offers a complete range of frozen, fresh and canned restaurant quality fruits and vegetables that are harvested, packed and delivered with top-notch flavor and quality.
The fresh fruit selection comprises avocados, peaches, apples, pears and berries whereas fresh vegetables comprise carrots, celery, artichokes and peppers.
The frozen vegetables and fruit selection comprises olives, peppers, blends, beans and avocados, apples, apricots, bananas and plantains.
Grocery Products
Gordon Food Services offers quality groceries like bread and butter, candy, cereals and breakfast foods, condiments and dips, crackers, flour and baking, basic broth and gravies, salad dressing and toppings, sauces and marinades, oil, snacks, spices, seasoning, sugar etc.
Seafood And Specialty Meats
The wholesale seafood products by Gordon Food Service comprise crab, oysters, ocean fish, lobsters, freshwater fish, shrimp, sushi and other seafood. The specialty meat option comprises lamb, veal, buffalo, bison, goat meats etc.
Pork Products
The pork product selection at gordon food service comprises bacon, boxed pork, grounded and breaded pork, ribs, roasts and hams, steaks and chops.
Hot Dogs And Sausages
Gordon Food Services is known for its extensive range of hot dogs and franks, pizza toppings and sausages
Dairy And Egg Products
At Gordon Food Service you get an amazing collection of dairy and egg products like butter, margarine, cheese, eggs, milk and cream. They are also a wholesale poultry distributor serving chicken, duck, turkey and other poultry.
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Does Gordon Accept EBT, Food Stamps or SNAP Benefits?
Yes, Gordon accepts food stamps, SNAP benefits or EBT cards in most of its store locations. The company has gained a reputation for providing affordable meals and products with its commitment to offering high-quality food options in all its in-store brand products.
Outside EBT, they accept major debit and credit cards including gift cards. However you can use the EBT card to buy nutritious groceries like fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy eggs, meat, juice etc. at Gordon. The company is accepting EBT or SNAP benefits online for delivery or curbside pickup due to its collaboration with Instacart but you cannot use the card to cover the service fees and delivery cost.
Also read: Does H Mart Accept Food Stamp or EBT
What Can You Buy At Gordon Food Service Stores Using Your SNAP Benefits or EBT Card?
According to USDA guidelines, EBT cards cover the cost of food and groceries with nutritional value so you cannot use the card for non-edible food or hot-prepared restaurant meals. Following is the list of approved items that are available on EBT food packages at Gordon Food Service.
- Fruits and vegetables: All types of fresh, canned or frozen fruits and vegetables are allowed for EBT purchase. This also includes dried fruits and vegetables.
- Meat, poultry and fish: This comprises all forms of meat such as pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish and lamb
- Bread and cereals: All types of bread, crackers, cereals, pasta, oatmeal and rice are allowed
- Milk and Dairy Products: All types of milk, yogurt, cheese and butter are eligible
- Snacks and desserts: Chips, cakes, cookies and other snack items are eligible as long as they do not have any vitamins or minerals in them.
- Seeds and Plants: SNAP participants can purchase plants and seeds to grow their produce.
- Energy drinks: Specific energy drinks are allowed for purchase using an EBT card if they are labeled as Nutrition Facts label.
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What Are The Items You Cannot Buy Using Your EBT At Gordon Food Service Store?
SNAP recipients can purchase a wide variety of food items and groceries with their EBT card at Gordon Food Service store locations but there are restrictions on the following items that are generally not covered with EBT funds.
- Alcohol and Tobacco: EBT funds cannot be used to buy alcoholic beverages like wine, liquor, beer, cigarettes and any other tobacco products
- Household Supplies: This includes non-food items like paper goods and cleaning products
- Hot Prepared Food: This includes food items that are ready for immediate consumption such as hot prepared meals and food from restaurants.
- Live animals (except fish and shellfish).
- Pet Supplies: This includes pet food, bedding and toys
- Health and Beauty: This includes cosmetics, medications, vitamins, hygiene products and supplements.
Read also: What can you Shop Online With EBT?
How To Use Your Food Stamps or EBT Card To Pay At Gordon Food Service Store?
The procedure of using your food stamps or EBT card to purchase approved items at Gordon Food Service store is similar to using a debit or credit card at a grocery store. For in-store purchases, you have to enter your 4-digit PIN code at the payment terminal.
Once the cashier knows that you are using your food stamp benefits he or she will enter the right amount. If your order is legible then the bill will come to zero as the EBT card will be charged for the orders. If you have purchased any items that are not approved of EBT then you have to pay the remaining amount through another alternate source of payment or cash.
EBT card holders can use food stamps to buy eligible items at Gordon Food Service store in the following ways:
- Proceed to the checkout counter
- Swipe your food stamp or EBT card at the counter on Gordon Food Service payment terminals and enter your 4-digit PIN just like you use your debit card.
- The payment system at Gordon will deduct the EBT balance for the SNAP food items and the cashier will process the transaction.
Using EBT For Unapproved Purchase At Gordon Food Service
Customers who use their food stamps cards to purchase SNAP-approved products have to face severe consequences. Following is the situation that may happen if you use your EBT card to purchase ineligible items from your EBT card at Gordon Food Service.
- A three-month ban for the first unapproved purchase
- A year ban for the next unapproved purchase
- A two year ban for the third SNAP unapproved purchase.
If your purchase includes both unapproved and approved EBT items then you need to be a bit organized and separate the items in your card and make two different purchases from two different foremost payments.
What Other Forms Of Payment Does Gordon Accept?
Besides EBT payment Gordon Food Service store accept the following forms of payment:
- Cash or check
- Credit cards such as Discover, MasterCard, Visa and American Express
- Debit cards
- Gordon Food Service store gift or merchandise credit card
To learn more about the location and the type of services that you can get from Gordon you can contact them at the customer service number 800-968-4164 or 616-530-7000.
Read also: Does Piggly Wiggly Accept Food Stamps, SNAP, or EBT?
Can You Use Your EBT Card At Gordon For Online Orders?
Gordon Food Service provides the option of online delivery in select states throughout the country such as Ohio, Illinois etc. The company has partnered with Instacart which enables SNAP beneficiaries to get their items delivered as fast as one hour. Using Gordon Food Service delivery is a pretty simple process.
The company accepts EBT as a form of payment for grocery delivery or pickup orders placed through Instacart. Customers in America can pay for online orders using a valid EBT card either in part or in full from participating Gordon Food Service stores.
You just have to use the Instacart website or app to shop for your preferred products from a local Gordon Food Service near you.
Once you have placed your order Instacart will connect you with enabling shoppers to shop and deliver your order. Let’s take a look at the following breakdown of Gordon Food Service delivery cost through Instacart.
- Instacart + members need not pay any delivery fees on orders more than $35 whereas non-members have to pay a delivery cost starting from $3.99 for same-day orders more than $35. The fees may vary depending on whether you choose club store deliveries, one-hour deliveries or deliveries under $35.
- The service fees may vary and depend on various factors like the number and type of items in your cart and location. Orders that contain alcohol require a separate service fee. Instacart + members can access lower service fees.
Note. You cannot use your Gordon Food Service gift card as a form of payment on Instacart.
How Long Does Gordon Food Service Delivery Through Instacart Take In the USA?
The best thing about Gordon Food Service online delivery through Instacart is that you get to choose the time when you need to schedule your delivery. The delivery time can be as fast as an hour or a drop of time for later in a day or week to fit your schedule. The delivery windows start as early as 9:00 AM till midnight.
You have to check the local store hours to know more details about the schedule. The delivery hours may be subjected to store operating hours like holidays. To make sure you get the delivery as scheduled you have to turn on notifications for the Instacart app and keep an eye out for phone calls or text messages from your Instacart shopper. It is recommended to leave helpful instructions for gate codes, parking or other clues to find your address.
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What Stores Accept EBT For Online Grocery Delivery And Pickup Apart From Gordon?
DoorDash
DoorDash is one of the latest app-based delivery services from where you can order food and get it delivered to your doorstep. Currently, DoorDash is available across the 50 U.S. states.
To use DoorDash services you have to download a mobile application on Google Play Store or Apple Play Store or visit the official DoorDash website and place orders with the grocery stores and restaurants.
They work with many independent contractors who pick up customers’ orders from the official site and get them delivered to their doorstep.
ALDI
ALDI accepts EBT cards at authorized locations. 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. Thanks to ALDI’s partnership with Instacart for same-day grocery delivery or curbside pickup in 29 U.S. states and Washington DC.
Amazon
If you’re looking for food service companies that accept EBT cards for payment then you can go for Amazon. EBT cards are accepted at Amazon Fresh and Amazon.com. Moreover, you can also purchase a wide array of products from the company. The company started accepting SNAP-enabled cards or EBT cards back in 2019.
Walmart
EBT payments are accepted at Walmart which is one of the top online grocery delivery and pick-up choices throughout the country.
Customers can place an order through Walmart.com or Walmart app. You can get free curbside pickup service here on orders more than $35 however if your order falls below this amount you have to pay a small pickup fee.
Target
EBT payments are accepted online at Target and you can shop for grocery items on the website or through the company’s delivery service called Shipt. First, create an account at Target.com and place your order with the help of an EBT card.
You have the option to choose between the same-day driver or order pickup options without any cost. The same-day grocery delivery comes for $9.99 at Target whereas Shipt members on orders more than $35 get free delivery.
Instacart
Instacart accepts EBT payments under the SNAP program. You can use your EBT benefits for purchasing EBT-eligible food items using the Instacart grocery delivery and pickup platform. Presently SNAP recipients with a valid EBT card in all states except Alaska can use their SNAP benefits on Instacart at approved retailers.
Few More Grocery Stores That Accept EBT are
- Foodland
- Food Lion
- Friendly Foods
- Harris Teeter
- Walgreen
- CVS
- Rite Aid
- Dollar Tree
- Big Y Foods
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Hometown Foods
- Jubilee Foods
- Kroger
- Albertsons
- Safeway
- Market Basket
- Piggly Wiggly
- Publix
- Speedway
- Sam’s Club
- Speedway
- All Stores
- Costco
- City Market
- Family Food Stores
- Kroger
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Conclusion
Gordon Food Service accepts EBT payments which makes it an amazing option for low-income individuals and families who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to purchase necessary food. If you’re living in the Midwest, Northeast, Southwest and Southeast part of the United States then you can use your EBT or SNAP benefits card here. The process to buy eligible food items at Gordon with your EBT is a simple procedure. Knowing both the policies and consequences of using food stamps for unapproved items is important if you want to enjoy SNAP benefits in the long run. Gordon also accepts SNAP payments for online purchases through Instacart. We have also covered additional grocery stores or major retailers that accept EBT in-store and online.
We hope this article has been informative enough to give you all the details you need regarding Gordon Food Service Store and EBT. You can learn more about the government grants and financial assistance program at the Get Government Grants’ blog section today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Gordon Food Service Accept EBT Cards?
Yes, Gordon Food Service accepts EBT cards in all its store locations throughout America. However, SNAP recipients can purchase only eligible food items and beverages using their EBT card at Gordon Food Service.
Can I Order Fast Food Using My EBT Card At Gordon?
No SNAP recipients can purchase only EBT-eligible food and groceries with the help of their EBT card at Gordon Food Store that comprises bread and cereal, fruits and vegetables, poultry and fish, meat, dairy products, seasoning and spices, condiments, snacks and beverages and baked goods.