"How to pay with California EBT Online at Whole Foods"

How to Use CalFresh EBT Online at Whole Foods

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This post is about how to use CalFresh EBT online at Whole Foods Market to shop for groceries for pickup and delivery. If you are a California EBT cardholder and are wondering how to use your SNAP card to shop online at Whole Foods, we are here to help.

California SNAP EBT recipients can now use their food stamp benefits to purchase eligible groceries online at Whole Foods and other approved supermarkets.

In this post, we are going to provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to shop for groceries online and pay with SNAP EBT at Whole Foods.

You can also check out our posts on how to shop online with EBT at Walmart and Amazon.

We will also cover:

  • EBT Online Purchasing Pilot Program
  • How to Use CalFresh EBT Online at Whole Foods
  • California EBT Card FAQs

"How to Use CalFresh EBT Online at Whole Foods"

EBT Online Purchasing Pilot Program

In 2017, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a pilot program for online EBT purchases.

The program allows EBT Cardholders to purchase groceries online for delivery or pick-up.

The first state to actually launch an online EBT program was New York, starting in 2019.

California was added to the pilot on April 28th, 2020.

Whole Foods EBT Online Purchase Program for California

If you have a California EBT card, you can now purchase groceries online from Whole Foods Market for delivery or pick up.

You can only use your EBT card to buy eligible grocery items. You will have to add a credit or debit card to pay for non-EBT-eligible items.

In addition, you cannot use your food stamps dollars to pay for delivery.

How to Use California EBT Online at Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market offers online grocery purchases with EBT for curbside pick-up and delivery. 

Here’s how it works:

Step 1  – Sign in / Sign up for Amazon Account

Sign into your Amazon account by clicking the “Sign in” link.

You can do so at https://www.amazon.com/ or download the Amazon app for Apple and Andriod.

If you do not have an Amazon.com account, click on the “Create your Amazon account” button and follow the instructions to create an account.

Step 2 – Add your SNAP EBT card to your Amazon Account

Next, visit Amazon.com/SNAP to add your CalFresh SNAP EBT card to your Amazon Account.

Once there, click on “Add your SNAP EBT Card” and follow the instructions to add a valid SNAP EBT card.

Step 2 – Shop for Groceries & Build your cart

Next, shop for items you need at the Whole food store. Click here for the Whole Foods Store on Amazon.

You can order SNAP/non-SNAP items together & combine payment methods at checkout.

If you are on the Amazon Mobile App, here’s how to find the Whole Foods Market Store on the app:

  1. Click on the Menu Bar at the bottom right corner of the app
  2. Next, click on Groceries and Stores
  3. Click the Whole Foods Market icon to be taken to the Whole Foods Store online.

Step 3 – Enter your EBT info

At checkout, enter your California EBT Card information. You will need your CalFresh EBT number and PIN.

If you have non-SNAP items in your cart, you can add a second payment type to pay for those items, any fees, and delivery charges.

Note: You cannot use your SNAP EBT card to pay for Delivery charges.

Step 4 – Place your order

Once you pay for your order, you will receive an order confirmation via email with all the details of your order and confirm delivery or pickup details.

"Whole foods grocery pickup"

California EBT Card FAQs

Here is a list of our most frequently asked about the CalFresh EBT Card Grocery shopping online at Whole Foods Market.

Does Whole Foods Market Also Accept EBT Through Instacart?

No, you cannot shop at Whole Foods Market through Instacart and use your California EBT card for payment.

To learn how to use EBT on Instacart, see our post on California Grocery Stores that take Instacart.

Exclusive Offer: For a limited-time, pay with EBT SNAP on Instacart at select retailers & get free grocery delivery or pickup on your first 3 $35+ EBT orders. Offer ends 6/30/23. Terms apply.

Are there stores that accept SNAP EBT online through Instacart?

Yes, you can use your SNAP EBT card to purchase eligible groceries through Instacart in select grocery stores in select states, including:

  • ALDI
  • Albertsons
  • Food Lion
  • Save Mart
  • FoodMaxx
  • Lucky Supermarkets
  • Price Chopper
  • Market 32
  • Tops Friendly Markets
  • Meijer
  • Publix
  • Sprouts Farmers Market
  • Safeway
  • Market Bistro
  • Wegmans

For the full list of grocery stores that take EBT through Instacart, click here.

What other stores accept California EBT Online?

In addition to Whole Foods Market, the following grocery stores accept CalFresh EBT online for pickup and delivery:

  • Brothers Marketplace
  • Cardenas Markets
  • ExtraMile by Jacksons
  • Food 4 Less
  • FoodMaxx
  • Gong’s IGA Market
  • Jacksons Food Stores
  • Lucky Supermarkets
  • Mar Val Foods
  • Rancho San Miguel Markets
  • Sam’s Club Scan and Go
  • Save Mart Supermarkets
  • Stater Bros.
  • Super King Market
  • Superior Grocers
  • The Market by Superior

What Restaurants take California SNAP EBT?

Your CalFresh EBT Card or Golden State Advantage card can be used at select restaurants and fast food places if you meet the eligibility criteria.

This is part of the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program.

The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows CalFresh recipients who are 60 years of age or older, disabled, or homeless to use their CalFresh benefits to purchase lower-cost prepared meals at approved participating restaurants in certain counties.

Currently, the restaurant meals program is active in the following counties:

Do Convenience Stores Accept CalFresh EBT?

Yes. Most convenience stores accept SNAP EBT, including Wawa and 7-Eleven.

How to Use California EBT Online at Whole Foods Summary

We hope this post on How to Use CalFresh EBT Online at Whole Foods was helpful to you!

Please let us know in the comments section below if you have more questions about your California EBT or SNAP Benefits.

Also, be sure to check out our other articles about California SNAP and EBT, including: