Seafood Places That Accept EBT (Plus Those That Don't)

While you can use your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to buy seafood at your local grocery store, several popular seafood markets across the U.S. also accept EBT.

EBT cards can be used to purchase fresh, frozen, or packaged seafood items — but usually not hot or prepared foods, like restaurant food. There are exceptions in certain states under the Restaurant Meals Program, but none of the seafood restaurants we contacted participate in this program.

Since seafood markets sell food for home preparation, they can accept EBT if they apply to become an approved retailer. Specialty seafood markets like the Boston Public Market and the Portland Fish Market also allow recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to use their EBT cards to get fresh-caught seafood.

We list the seafood markets that take EBT below. We gathered this information by contacting customer service representatives at each market. See our related research for the list of grocery stores that accept EBT.

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The List of Seafood Places That Accept EBT

Boston Public Market

Location: Boston, Mass.
What it offers: An indoor market with vendors selling a variety of products and foods, including local seafood
Open: Year-round from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays

Portland Fish Market

Location: Portland, Ore.
What it offers: A variety of wild-caught fish, crab cakes, crab meat, shrimp, oysters, salmon, and more
Hours: Year-round from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

Reading Terminal Market (John Yi Fish Market)

Location: John Yi Fish Market is located inside the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Penn.
What it offers: Fish (farmed and wild-caught), shellfish, tuna, salmon, and more
Hours: Year-round from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Saltwater Seafood Market and Fry Shack

Note: EBT cards are accepted in the market only — not at the restaurant.

Location: Raleigh, N.C.
What it offers: Fresh and frozen seafood, including fish, crab, clams, lobster, and more
Hours: Year-round from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.