You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that the list of stores that accept EBT is much longer than you might think. Most people assume that Whole Foods only accepts cash or debit cards. However, we’re happy to report this isn’t true! Redeeming your EBT at Whole Foods and other grocery chains poses some specific challenges. Since different stores have different policies on what you can spend your benefits on, it’s important to understand which stores take EBT and how you can use your benefits there before you shop. Keep reading for information about which stores take EBT, what foods they accept, and other useful tips on maximizing your shopping experience during your next trip to the supermarket!
Does Whole Foods Take EBT?
Yes, Whole Foods does accept EBT payments. In fact, they’re one of the more than 230,000 stores nationwide that participates in the program. For those who may not be familiar with it, EBT is a government-provided benefits program that allows low-income individuals and families to purchase food with a pre-loaded debit card. So if you’re looking for a place to buy healthy groceries on a budget, Whole Foods is a great option!
Which Stores Take EBT?
Whole Foods
Whole Foods is one of the most well-known grocery stores in the country and has been a popular place to shop for years. Since Whole Foods doesn’t take EBT, you will need to use a combination of cash and a card. Cash is always accepted, but card transactions are not. If you plan on purchasing any food items with your EBT benefits, be sure to bring cash or credit cards with you! If you don’t have any cash or cards on hand, simply swipe the card at the registers and they will hand over your groceries.
Kroger
Kroger accepts EBT at all of its stores nationwide, including those in Alaska (Kroger Alaska). While Kroger does not accept EBT as a form of payment for non-food items like diapers or medicine, they do accept it for groceries! Just make sure that anything you purchase from Kroger is labeled “EBT Accepted” or “EBT Only.”
Safeway
Safeway is the second largest grocery store chain in the country and also accepts EBT at all of its stores (Safeway Alaska). While Safeway does accept EBT for food purchases, they do not accept EBT for non-food items like diapers or medicine. The best way to shop at Safeway is to bring cash or debit cards with you, as they do not take EBT as a form of payment for non-food items.
Walgreens
Walgreens is one of the most well-known drugstores in the country and also accepts EBT at all of its stores nationwide (Walgreens Alaska). They are one of the few stores that will accept your benefits as a form of payment before you check out! As with any purchase made with your card, make sure to get a receipt! This will help you avoid delays when trying to cash out your EBT card.
CVS
CVS is another well-known drugstore chain that accepts EBT at all of its stores nationwide (CVS Alaska). They will accept your benefits as a form of payment for food items and non-food items, but not for any medical purchases. If you plan on purchasing any medication with your EBT benefits, be sure to bring cash or debit cards with you! CVS will not take EBT as a form of payment for non-food items like diapers or medicine. If you plan on purchasing any medications with your EBT benefits, be sure to bring cash or debit cards with you! CVS will not take EBT as a form of payment for non-food items like diapers or medicine.
Target
Target is one of the most popular stores in the country and also accepts EBT at all of its stores nationwide (Target Alaska). You can use your card to pay for food items and non-food items, but Target will not accept EBT as a form of payment for any medical purchases. If you plan on purchasing any medication with your EBT benefits, be sure to bring cash or debit cards with you! Target will not take EBT as a form of payment for non-food items like diapers or medicine.
Where To Find Food On EBT
- Use our EBT Store Locator to find a store near you that accepts EBT.
- If the store you’re looking for is not listed, call them and ask them whether they accept EBT.
- If the store is listed, but you still can’t find what you’re looking for, call your local USDA office and ask them whether they have any information on stores that accept EBT.
- Lastly, if you still can’t find what you need at a store that accepts EBT, call your local SNAP office and ask them what other places in your area take EBT!
Whole Foods’ Accepted EBT Foods
- Whole Foods accepts EBT cards and debit cards that have the SNAP logo on them.
- Whole Foods accepts EBT cards that have the SNAP logo on them, but not debit cards.
- Whole Foods accepts both EBT and debit cards that have the SNAP logo on them, but not cash or credit card payments.
- More than 60 stores in Colorado do not accept EBT at all, including Safeway (all locations), Albertsons (all locations), and Vons (all locations).
- More than 40 stores in Colorado do not accept EBT or debit at all, including Stop & Shop (all locations), and Shaw’s Stores (all locations).
Can You Cash Your EBT At Whole Foods?
- Yes, you can cash your EBT at Whole Foods.
- Cashiers may ask you to show your benefits card before they can swipe your card, but they should be able to do so without any difficulty. If you have questions about cashing your benefits, speak with the cashier directly before paying for your groceries.
- You won’t receive a discount for using EBT at Whole Foods; however, there is no limit to the amount of money you can spend on groceries with EBT. Be sure to use your EBT wisely!
Tips For Using EBT At Whole Foods And Other Stores
Figure out which stores accept EBT before you go shopping.
It is important to know whether Whole Foods accepts EBT before you go shopping. If Whole Foods doesn’t accept EBT, then you’ll need to use your benefits at another store that does. This can be a difficult task since most grocery stores don’t make their EBT acceptance information readily available on the internet. You can call the store or visit the website of the store where you plan on redeeming your EBT benefits, but these options are not always available. If you don’t have access to a phone, then try calling the non-profit food shelf where your local food pantry is located (many of these organizations will allow you to use your EBT benefits at their locations).
You can still use your EBT at Whole Foods if you’re in an area that doesn’t accept EBT.
If you’re in a state or region where Whole Foods does not accept EBT, then you may be able to use your benefits at a different store that does! In most cases, this will just be a matter of finding the right store in the right location. If you live near a grocery store that accepts EBT but don’t have access to it, then perhaps trying another nearby grocery store that accepts EBT will work. Keep in mind that the list of stores accepting EBT is likely much smaller than you might think!
You can also redeem your benefits at any local store.
You may have heard rumors about some stores refusing to accept benefits cards, but this is not true for all stores! Many grocery and convenience stores will accept your benefits card—so long as there are no other restrictions on your benefits (for example, if you’re on suspension or probation). The following stores are among those that accept EBT.
Final Words
Whole Foods does take EBT, but it’s important to note that not every store in the chain accepts this type of payment. You can check with your local SNAP office to see if there’s a Whole Foods near you that takes EBT. Other stores that take EBT, like 7-Eleven, BP, and Shell, also accept cash, so if you don’t have EBT and can’t find a store that takes government benefits, you can use cash instead.
