Does Whole Foods Take WIC? (SNAP EBT, Food Stamps)

Have you ever asked yourself or your friend if Whole Foods accept or takes WIC? Well, you are at the perfect place to find the answer to such a question.

Whole Foods is a growing, grocery retailer that focuses on only natural and organic foods and is committed to sustainable agriculture.

In terms of all-natural food and high-quality, certified organic foods, Whole Food Markets is hard to beat. 

So, does Whole Foods take WIC? Yes, Whole Foods take WIC. So, WIC is an accepted form of payment at all Whole Food retailers approved through their respective states across the U.S. That applies only to items that qualify under the catalog of WIC-associated foods, however. You won’t be able to buy alcohol with your WIC card.

Whole Foods accepts any form of WIC payment, including WIC cards, vouchers, and approved checks from the WIC program.

When it comes to checks, however, the WIC-eligible items that you can purchase are usually listed there. 

Whole Foods won’t accept WIC payment by check for any items that are not listed on the check.

If it’s your first time using WIC at a Whole Foods location, be sure to call ahead and check to make sure that the Whole Foods location is approved by your state for WIC.

What Is WIC?

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) is an extension of the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits program.

It is a program that is exclusively focused on women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, newborns, and children up to the age of five. 

WIC isn’t just for food, however. It is a program that operates in each individual state through federal grants and subsidization.

It helps pay for the medical needs of nutritionally deficient children as well.

Lastly, it provides nutritional education to low-income mothers. This is especially beneficial for new mothers who are learning how to take care of their children alone.

Nutritional education is a great benefit for those to whom it applies. 

Read also: Does Whole Foods Own Aldi? (The Truth)

What Kind Of Foods Can You Buy At Whole Foods With WIC?

WIC assistance generally includes your basic foods such as eggs, milk, and bread. However, the list is expanded for additional benefits that are deemed essential for the proper nutrition of an infant or a young child. 

• Most kinds of yogurts
• Most bread, including bakery bread
• Oatmeal
• Eggs
• Fruit and vegetable juices
• Fruits and vegetables
• Several different kinds of cereal, including hot cereals
• Cheese
• Whole Wheat pasta
• Infant formula and infant food
• Brown rice
• Peanut butter
• Donuts, muffins, cookies, and custom baked goods
• Peas, lentils, and beans from dried goods

It’s nowhere near as extensive a list as SNAP, which is why it is considered an extension type of list that’s more focused on a single category of needs versus a wider range of state benefits. 

WIC-approved items are going to come from this list and, like SNAP benefits, anything outside of the WIC-approved list will not be honored at Whole Foods or any other grocery retailer for that matter.

How To Use WIC At Whole Foods

When it comes to SNAP, it’s as simple as using your SNAP card to pay for the food you need, and it’s the same no matter what state you happen to reside in.

With WIC benefits, things are a little different. What’s acceptable in one state may not be true for another state. 

For instance, one state may issue you a WIC card that you can simply reload, like a pre-paid credit card, while another state may send you a check, and yet another state may provide you with vouchers. 

WIC Card

WIC cards are simple and are used in the same way that a debit card is. When you are at the checkout register, simply pull out your WIC card and swipe like your normally would, entering your PIN # to complete the transaction.

Vouchers and Checks

These fall under the same category because they spend in much the same way. The state will mail you vouchers or checks with specific instructions, such as a date when to use and the last date to use.

Date of Use and Amount are either filled out by you or by the cashier at a Whole Foods register. You will also have to sign and date the voucher or check in front of the cashier. 

You may also be required to sign the receipt, depending on the state. 

Always be sure to keep your receipts. Place them in a strong box or a safe file in case it’s ever necessary to produce them for proof or purchases later on down the road. 

Can You Use WIC Online With Whole Foods?

While WIC and SNAP are welcome in Whole Food stores, you cannot purchase food items from Whole Foods online.

While this might change in the future, it’s probably more of an issue concerning coordination with the state.

Since every state is different in how they distribute and allow WIC/SNAP recipients to spend their benefits, it’s difficult for stores with retail locations all over the country—and Whole Foods has more than 500 stores—to set up an expedient system.

Since the Department of Agriculture started the Online Purchasing Pilot for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, the volume of online purchasing capabilities with state benefits is growing. 

The more states that jump on board with the program—yes there are still some holdouts—the more avenues for online grocery shopping that will open up for those with SNAP benefits. 

There are currently two states that are not active participants in the Online Purchasing Pilot and many of the states who are participating, have limited their level of participation. 

However, even if a state is wholly on board with the program, it has to be accepted by Whole Foods as well.

Since Whole Foods is now owned by Amazon, that’s where the ultimate decision will be made. 

All Things Considered

Fortunately, Whole Foods is available for those who are on WIC benefits and need the extended nutritional assistance that the program provides.

Whole Foods has no restrictions on the use of WIC benefits outside of the self-restricted nature of the program and state limitations.

If you are on WIC, feel free to contact your local Whole Food retailer, check to see if they accept WIC benefits in your state, and head on down. 

The great thing about WIC for your children is that they will get the absolute best nutritional sources from Whole Foods, as they do not mess around with anything that is not natural or organic.

References

https://frugalreality.com/does-whole-foods-accept-ebt-food-stamps/

https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic