Meal kit delivery services like HelloFresh have transformed the way families plan and prepare their meals. With pre-portioned ingredients, fresh produce, and easy-to-follow recipes, they offer a convenient way to cook at home. But for low-income households who rely on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Food Stamps, the big question is: Are there meal kit delivery services like HelloFresh that accept EBT?
Let’s explore which food delivery services accept EBT, how it works, and the best alternatives for SNAP recipients.
Does HelloFresh Accept EBT or SNAP?
No, HelloFresh does not currently accept EBT or SNAP benefits as a payment method for its meal kits.
HelloFresh is a subscription-based service that only accepts traditional payment methods such as credit/debit cards or PayPal. While popular and convenient, it does not participate in the USDA’s SNAP online shopping pilot program.
Meal Kit Services and Grocery Delivery Options That Accept EBT/SNAP
Although HelloFresh does not accept EBT, some similar grocery delivery services and platforms do, including those that allow you to create your own meal plan with fresh ingredients.
These are the best options:
1. Top Box Foods
Accepts EBT: ✅ Yes
Availability: Limited cities (Chicago, New Orleans, Atlanta, etc.)
Top Box Foods is a nonprofit organization that delivers affordable boxes of fresh food (including meats, produce, and meal kits) to communities in need. They accept EBT/SNAP and offer monthly orders, often with no delivery fees. What’s included:
- Ready-to-cook ingredients
- Healthy produce boxes
- Easy online ordering with a SNAP card
🔗 www.topboxfoods.com
2. Amazon Fresh and Amazon Pantry
Accepts EBT: ✅ Yes (in select states)
Availability: Nationwide in areas where it is offered
Amazon accepts EBT for grocery deliveries, including fresh ingredients similar to what you’d get from HelloFresh. While not a meal kit service, Amazon Fresh allows you to create your own meal plans with fresh produce, meats, and pantry items.
Pros:
- Free shipping with minimum purchase
- Wide selection of SNAP-eligible items
- Discounts for EBT users on Amazon Prime
🔗 www.amazon.com/snap
3. Walmart Grocery Delivery
Accepts EBT: ✅ Yes
Availability: In most US states
Walmart allows EBT cardholders to purchase groceries online and schedule pickup or delivery. While it’s not a traditional meal kit service, you can purchase ingredients to prepare your own meals at an affordable price.
Pros:
- Pay with EBT online or in the app
- Low delivery or pickup costs
- Wide selection of SNAP-eligible foods
4. Misfits Market
Accepts EBT: ✅ Yes (nationwide)
Availability: Nationwide
Misfits Market offers organic and imperfect produce, as well as discounted pantry staples, and now accepts EBT for eligible customers. While they don’t offer recipe kits, they do provide ingredients for easy meal preparation.
Pros:
Affordable and sustainable groceries
Accepts SNAP/EBT online
Fresh produce and pantry items
5. FarmboxRx
Accepts EBT: ✅ Yes (on certain programs like Medicaid/Medicare Advantage)
Availability: Varies by healthcare provider
FarmboxRx partners with health plans to deliver healthy meal kits and produce boxes to low-income patients. These boxes focus on chronic disease prevention and healthy eating and may be fully covered by SNAP or Medicaid benefits, depending on eligibility.
🔗 www.farmboxrx.com
What to Know Before Ordering
Always check eligibility by ZIP code. Some services only accept EBT payments in certain areas.
Not all foods are eligible for SNAP. Prepared or hot meals are generally not allowed.
Look for USDA-authorized retailers. Only approved sellers can legally accept SNAP online.
Tips for Cooking with SNAP
Use SNAP to buy ingredients and then access free recipes on apps like SuperCook or AllRecipes.
Shop Locally: Many farmers markets now accept EBT and offer “double benefit” programs.
Combine grocery delivery (like Walmart or Amazon) with YouTube cooking tutorials for a HelloFresh-style experience.
Conclusion
While HelloFresh doesn’t accept EBT, there are many affordable alternatives for families who rely on SNAP. Services like Top Box Foods, Amazon Fresh, Walmart Grocery, and Misfits Market allow you to shop or have ingredients delivered right to your home with your EBT card. You may not receive a fancy box of recipes, but you can still cook healthy and delicious meals without breaking the bank.
