Last Updated: June 20, 2025

Hello, Iowa friends! Your EBT card opens doors to a wide variety of shopping options across the state. From major grocery chains to farmers markets and even online retailers, we've put together this complete guide to help you find the perfect places to shop with your SNAP benefits. Plus, discover how the Forage app makes finding EBT-friendly stores and discounts even easier!

Major Retailers Accepting EBT in Montana Online

Yes, you can use your Iowa EBT card for online grocery shopping! Here are your options:

Major Retailers Offering Online EBT:

• Walmart - Order online for pickup or delivery
• Amazon - SNAP EBT accepted for Amazon Grocery and Amazon Fresh
• ALDI (via Instacart) - Delivery and pickup options
• Hy-Vee - Order through their website or app
• ShopRite - Online ordering available
• Price Chopper - Online ordering with EBT payment at pickup

How Online EBT Shopping Works:

1. Create an account with the retailer
2. Add items to your cart
3. At checkout, select EBT as your payment method
4. Enter your EBT card information
5. For delivery orders: You'll need a secondary payment method for fees, as EBT can't cover delivery fees or tips

Important Note: When shopping online with EBT, your card can only pay for SNAP-eligible items. Any non-eligible items will need to be paid for with another payment method.

Specialty and International Markets

Iowa's diverse communities are served by many specialty markets that accept EBT:

• C Fresh Market (Des Moines) - International groceries
• Jung's Oriental Food Store (Des Moines)
• La Tapatia Mexican Grocery Store (Des Moines)
• African & Caribbean Market (Des Moines)
• New Pioneer Food Co-op (Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Coralville)
• Gateway Market (Des Moines)
• World Food Market (Iowa City)
• Asian Market (Sioux City)
• Pho & More Asian Market (Waterloo)
• European Groceries (Cedar Rapids)

Convenience Stores and Small Markets

For quick stops and rural communities, these smaller options accept EBT:

• Casey's General Store - Most locations
• Kwik Star/Kwik Trip - All Iowa locations
• Kum & Go - Most locations
• Git 'n Go - All locations
• Yesway - All Iowa locations
• HandiMart - Cedar Rapids area
• Short Stop - Various locations
• Fast Stop - Rural locations
• Hometown Foods - Small town locations
• The Market - Small town locations

County-by-County Top EBT Retailers

Polk County (Des Moines area)

• All major chains plus C Fresh Market, La Tapatia, Cash Saver

Linn County (Cedar Rapids area)

• All major chains plus NewBo Market, Nelson's Meat Market, Uptown Food Mart

Scott County (Davenport/Quad Cities)

• All major chains plus Greatest Grains, Freight House Farmers Market, La Primavera

Johnson County (Iowa City area)

• All major chains plus New Pioneer Co-op, World Food Market, Bread Garden Market

Black Hawk County (Waterloo/Cedar Falls)

• All major chains plus Pho & More Asian Market, Hometown Foods, University Avenue Hy-Vee

Woodbury County (Sioux City area)

• All major chains plus Asian Market, Sunkist Bakery, La Juanita Grocery

Dubuque County

• All major chains plus Dubuque Food Co-op, Eagle Country Market, Bisignano's Italian Market

Story County (Ames area)

• All major chains plus Wheatsfield Co-op, Asian Foods Store, Downtown Farmers Market

Pottawattamie County (Council Bluffs area)

• All major chains plus No Frills Supermarket, Fresh Start, Council Bluffs Farmers Market

Dallas County (West Des Moines/suburbs)

• All major chains plus Fresh Thyme, Trader Joe's, Valley Junction Farmers Market

Tips for Shopping with EBT

1. Know what's eligible: Most food items are eligible except prepared hot foods, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, and non-food items.
2. Split your payment: If you have both eligible and non-eligible items, tell the cashier you want to use EBT first, then pay for remaining items with another method.
3. Check your balance before shopping: Use the Forage app to instantly see your available balance.
4. Look for special promotions: Some stores offer special deals for EBT shoppers.
5. Save your receipts: Your receipt will show your remaining EBT balance and can help resolve any discrepancies.

How Forage Makes Shopping with EBT Easier

Managing your EBT benefits and finding the best deals shouldn't be complicated. The free Forage EBT app helps identify promotions and offers with major retailers, allowing you to:

• Check your EBT balance instantly before shopping
• Discover special rewards offers available only to EBT cardholders
• Unlock unique savings opportunities to help you stretch benefits further

Ready to shop with confidence?

Download the Forage App today to easily find EBT-friendly stores near you and manage your benefits with ease!

Check out our next article: "Special Offers and Free Delivery Options for Iowa SNAP Recipients" to learn how to make your benefits go even further.