Can You Buy a Honey Baked Ham with Food Stamps?

Honey baked ham is a beloved holiday tradition for many families. The sweet and savory glazed hams are a delicious centerpiece for special occasions like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. However, honey baked hams don’t come cheap. A whole ham can cost $40-$60 or even more from brands like HoneyBaked Ham Company. For low-income families relying on food assistance programs like SNAP or food stamps, buying a pre-cooked glazed ham may seem out of reach. But the good news is, yes, you can purchase honey baked ham using food stamps!

How Food Stamps Work for Buying Food

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, provides monthly benefits through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to buy groceries The benefits can be used to purchase any food items at stores that accept EBT, except hot prepared foods, alcohol, supplements, medicines, and non-food items SNAP benefits are intended to help low-income households access healthy and nutritious food.

When you use your EBT card at a participating grocery store, convenience store, or other retailer that sells food, the cashier simply swipes your card like a debit card and the purchase amount is deducted from your SNAP balance. There are no restrictions on specific brands or food types, as long as they are not on the prohibited list So you can definitely use your food stamp benefits to purchase deli items like honey baked ham

Buying Honey Baked Ham with EBT

Major grocery store chains like Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Aldi, and many others all accept EBT for deli purchases. So you can buy pre-packaged honey baked ham, smoked ham, turkey breast, roasted chicken, and other hot deli foods using your SNAP EBT card at these stores. Some things to keep in mind:

• Check labels: Make sure the ham says “Fully Cooked” or is otherwise marked as ready-to-eat. SNAP rules prohibit purchasing raw, uncooked meats.

• No custom orders: EBT can only be used for pre-packaged items off the shelf, not custom deli platters or special orders.

• Avoid combo meals: If the ham comes bundled with non-eligible items like condiments or side dishes, it likely can’t be purchased with SNAP benefits.

• Choose wisely: Opt for the most economical size ham to get the best value from your SNAP budget. Buying whole hams on sale is ideal for big gatherings.

• Ask about discounts: Some stores offer discounts on holiday hams for EBT customers. Inquire ahead of time so you can take advantage of any deals.

Buying Honey Baked Ham at Warehouse Stores

Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club are great places to find holiday hams at bulk pricing. The good news is both Costco and Sam’s Club accept EBT cards nationwide. So you can buy large packaged hams, turkey breasts, and other pre-cooked meats at warehouse stores using your SNAP benefits.

Some tips for buying honey baked ham with EBT at warehouse stores:

• Ask about holiday discounts or coupons to maximize your EBT dollars.

• See if you can split packs or custom-order smaller quantities if the big packs are too large for your gathering.

• Compare prices between the deli section and freezer section to find the best deals.

• Focus on name-brand pre-cooked hams to ensure you’re getting fully cooked ready-to-eat items covered by SNAP rules.

• Calculate the price per pound to determine the most cost effective option for your budget.

Using EBT at Deli Chains Like HoneyBaked Ham

In addition to grocery stores, many standalone deli chains like HoneyBaked Ham also accept EBT cards. So if there’s a HoneyBaked Ham location near you, you can use your SNAP benefits to buy their signature honey glazed hams, turkey breasts, and other ready-to-eat entrees. Here’s how it works:

• Make sure the deli takes EBT before you shop. Check their website or call ahead to confirm.

• Understand any order minimums or size restrictions. Some delis require a $25 minimum order for EBT.

• Order ahead for holidays if possible to secure your ham. Stores can run out of hams quickly during peak times.

• Ask about discounts. Some delis offer EBT discounts on holiday catering orders.

• Focus on fully cooked hams. EBT can’t be used for custom, uncooked, or raw hams.

• Split payment between EBT and another form of tender if your order exceeds your SNAP balance.

Are There Any Restrictions on Buying Hams with EBT?

There are just a few limitations to keep in mind when purchasing holiday hams using your SNAP EBT card:

• No pre-orders for uncooked hams. EBT can only be used to buy fully cooked, ready-to-eat hams off the shelf. You cannot special order an uncooked ham to cook yourself.

• No addons or side dishes. If the ham comes bundled with non-food items like knives, carving forks, or side dishes, it likely cannot be purchased with food stamps. Avoid combo packages.

• Minimum order amounts. Some smaller delis or butchers require a minimum EBT order of $25 or more. Larger chains don’t usually have minimums.

• Store policies. Rarely, individual stores may choose not to accept EBT for hot deli items based on their policies. Verify ahead that the store accepts EBT for deli purchases.

• Item limits. The store may impose limits on holiday hams for all customers to ensure stock for everyone. But there are no specific limits for EBT – the general store policies apply.

As long as you follow the SNAP guidelines, there are no other major restrictions on using your food stamp benefits to buy ham, turkey, or other ready-to-eat meats from the deli counter during the holidays.

Getting the Best Value from Your SNAP Benefits

Here are some tips to stretch your food stamp budget when buying holiday ham:

• Shop early for the best selection and freshest product.

• Ask about holiday discounts, markdowns, and EBT promotions.

• Compare prices between delis, grocery stores, warehouse stores, and superstores.

• Calculate price per pound to find the best deals. Bigger hams generally have lower per-pound costs.

• Consider buying a half ham or splitting packs with another household.

• Add economical sides like stuffing mix, instant mashed potatoes, canned vegetables, rolls, and dessert mixes.

• Time the ham purchase towards the end of your monthly benefit cycle if possible.

• Use discounted gift cards or cash back rewards to offset part of the cost if allowed by your state.

With a little planning and clever shopping, you can buy a delicious honey baked ham this holiday season using your SNAP EBT benefits. Focus on pre-cooked hams from major chains that accept EBT, look for deals, and you’ll be carving up a juicy glazed ham with all the fixings on a budget. Have a happy and healthy holiday with help from SNAP!