Can you buy garden seeds with CalFresh EBT? Trying to grow veggies in my backyard

Yes! This is absolutely true and a fantastic way to stretch your benefits. CalFresh/SNAP benefits can legally be used to purchase seeds and plants that produce food for your household to eat. I've personally done this multiple times. Most major retailers that accept EBT and sell seeds/plants will process the transaction - places like Walmart, some Home Depot locations, local garden centers, and even some farmers markets. The USDA explicitly supports this as it helps families access fresh produce long-term. Just keep in mind you can only buy food-producing plants/seeds, not flowers or decorative plants.

I tried this at Target and it worked fine! They have those seed racks near the checkout sometimes. But when I went to Home Depot the cashier looked at me like I was crazy and said EBT was only for food. I had to ask for a manager who confirmed it WAS allowed. So just be prepared that some employees might not know the policy.

i got some tomato plants at walmart with my ebt last year they grew pretty good but the birds ate a lot of them lol. the plants cost more than seeds but they grow faster so i think its worth it. just make sure you actually take care of them i forgot to water mine sometimes

This is one of those lesser-known benefits of CalFresh that I wish more people utilized! Just to add some specifics to what others have said: 1. You can buy any seeds or plants that produce food (vegetables, fruits, herbs, edible flowers) 2. There's no specific limit on quantity 3. Major retailers like Walmart, Target, and many grocery stores carry seeds and will accept EBT 4. Some farmers markets have double-value programs where your EBT dollars are matched when buying seeds/plants 5. Some garden centers accept EBT but others don't - call ahead to verify If you're new to gardening, start with easy crops like lettuce, radishes, bush beans, and herbs. They grow quickly and don't require much space or expertise. Good luck with your garden!

I've been trying to reach someone at my county office to ask about this exact question for TWO WEEKS. Every time I call, I'm stuck on hold forever and eventually get disconnected. So frustrating when you just need a simple answer! I finally used this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to a real CalFresh worker in about 15 minutes. They confirmed that yes, seeds and food-producing plants are eligible purchases with your EBT card. Such a relief to get a definitive answer! If anyone else is struggling with getting through to their county office, check out claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8. Totally worth it when you're dealing with time-sensitive benefits questions.

This is all WRONG information!! I tried to use my EBT card at Lowe's for vegetable plants and they said NO. The manager even came over and said it was illegal and I could get in trouble for trying to "misuse government benefits" which is total BS because I looked it up and it IS allowed. This whole system is designed to keep poor people poor - they don't WANT us growing our own food because then we wouldn't be dependent on their processed garbage. Try explaining to a minimum wage cashier that seeds are allowed on EBT and watch how fast they call security!!

Something I learned from my gardening journey - calculate the actual value of what you'll harvest before investing! Some plants like tomatoes and zucchini produce a TON of food for the cost of one plant/seed packet. Others like carrots might not save you as much money. I grew about $300 worth of produce last year from about $30 in seeds/plants purchased with my CalFresh benefits. Best return on investment ever! My favorite budget-friendly crops: cherry tomatoes, zucchini, green beans, lettuce, and herbs like basil and cilantro.

wait you can use calfresh for seeds??? i been on calfresh for 3 years and nobody ever told me this lol

my neighbor says ur supposed to save some seeds from the vegetables you grow so you dont have to buy them again next year... but i tried that with tomatoes and it didn't work right. i think you gotta do something special to save seeds properly

Just wanted to thank everyone for all this amazing advice! I went to Walmart yesterday and successfully bought seeds for tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and some lettuce with my EBT card - no questions asked! I also got some mint and basil seeds since fresh herbs are so expensive at the store. The cashier didn't even blink when I paid with EBT. This is going to help stretch my food budget so much once things start growing. I'll update later in the season with how my garden turns out!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm also on CalFresh and had no idea about the seed/plant benefit. One thing I'd add for anyone starting out - check if your local library has gardening books or even seed libraries where you can borrow seeds for free! My library has a "seed swap" program every spring. Also, if you're worried about space, don't overlook container gardening. I grow cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and herbs in old yogurt containers and buckets on my apartment balcony. Even a small windowsill can produce enough fresh herbs to save you $20+ per month at the grocery store. The initial investment with your EBT benefits really does pay off!