Food is an essential part of our lives. In the U.S., programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) help millions of families afford groceries.
Since more people rely on these benefits every month, it’s natural to ask where they can use them, especially at popular stores like Whole Foods or Sprouts Farmers Market.
If you’re wondering, does Sprouts take EBT? You’re not alone. This guide will let you know about using your EBT card at Sprouts, including what you can buy, how to shop in-store and online, and other helpful information.
1. Does Sprouts Take EBT?
Sprouts, or Sprouts Farmers Market, is a healthy grocery store where fresh, natural, and organic foods take center stage. From organic produce to plant-based and gluten-free options, Sprouts curates its selection to support a variety of lifestyles.
Sprouts does accept EBT cards at all its locations across the U.S. So, if you’re shopping for groceries and asking yourself, “Does Sprouts take EBT in store?” the answer is a clear yes, for eligible food items only.
>>> Read more: Does Trader Joe’s Take EBT Cards?
2. What Can You Buy with EBT at Sprouts?
When shopping with your EBT card at Sprouts, you’ll find a wide variety of SNAP-approved foods that support healthy eating.
- Fruits and vegetables: fresh blueberries, organic carrots, frozen veggie medleys, canned tomatoes, sweet corn, etc. Fruits and vegetables are among the essential purchases you can make with EBT, and Sprouts offers a vibrant selection.
- Meat, poultry, and fish: They are EBT-eligible items at Sprouts. You can grab everything from family-sized packs of grass-fed beef to seafood options.
- Dairy products: Now, who doesn’t like adding a splash of creamy milk to their cereal or topping their pasta with rich, shredded cheese? Dairy has always been a kitchen essential. At Sprouts, shoppers will find a wide range of dairy items that qualify for EBT.
- Breads and cereals: whole wheat sandwich bread, multigrain cereal, bagels, organic granola, etc.
- Snack foods: Snack foods like nuts and chips are also EBT-eligible.
- Non-alcoholic beverages: You can also use your EBT benefits to buy non-alcoholic drinks. Bottled water, sparkling beverages, and more.
- Seeds and plants: A lesser-known but exciting perk of SNAP is that you can buy seeds and edible plants with your EBT card. If you’re into growing your own food, Sprouts offers a small but seasonal variety of herbs, vegetable starters, and seed packs.
While Sprouts accepts EBT for many food items, EBT cards cannot be used to purchase hot prepared foods ready for immediate consumption. Also excluded from purchases with EBT cards, among other things, are alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
Vitamins, medicines, and supplements with a Supplement Facts label are not eligible. Non-food items such as cleaning supplies and pet food cannot be bought with EBT. These restrictions apply to all retailers accepting EBT.
>>> Read more: The Most Surprising Things You Can Buy With EBT Card (Or Cannot)
3. Can You Use EBT for Online Orders at Sprouts?
In addition to in-store purchases, Sprouts expanded its EBT acceptance to include same-day delivery and curbside pickup through Instacart. Sprouts customers can use their SNAP benefits online at stores nationwide by ordering through the Instacart website or mobile app.
Sprouts accepts valid EBT cards for online orders; however, EBT Cash is not accepted for online purchases. While shopping online, use the “EBT Eligible” filter in the search feature to view only qualifying products.
When browsing from the store homepage, any EBT-eligible items will display an “EBT” label next to the price. If an EBT-eligible item becomes unavailable during order fulfillment, you won’t be charged for it on your EBT card.
To use your EBT card online, link it to your Sprouts account. Additionally, you must have a credit or debit card linked to your account to cover any fees, bottle deposits (in some states), taxes, delivery tips, and other non-EBT SNAP-eligible items you might want to buy.
4. Can You Combine EBT with Lifeline Benefits?
SNAP recipients may also be eligible for the Lifeline program. Lifeline generally reduces the cost of phone or internet services by up to $9.25 each month. In addition to bill savings, enrolled participants can often receive discounted or free devices such as smartphones, tablets, or smartwatches through certain Lifeline providers, namely AirTalk Wireless.
With AirTalk, applying for Lifeline will grant you access to more than data plans. You can choose from a lot of smartphones, flip phones, tablets, smartwatches, and furthermore from many trusted brands like Apple, Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, etc.
These may come at zero costs or significantly reduced prices that can rarely be found anywhere else.
>>> Read more: How To Get A Free Tablet With EBT
FAQs
Does Sprouts count as a grocery store?
Sprouts Farmers Market is a grocery store. Sprouts offers a wide range of products, including fresh produce, meats, dairy, and packaged goods.
What are the payment methods for Sprouts?
Sprouts accepts several payment methods, including:
- Cash
- Debit and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx)
- Mobile payments (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Android Pay)
- EBT cards
- Sprouts gift cards
What are some stores that accept EBT online delivery?
Some major retailers and delivery platforms accept Electronic Benefits Transfer payments for online grocery orders, including delivery and pickup, for SNAP recipients. For example:
Does Sprouts Farmers Market accept EBT in California?
Sprouts Farmers Market accepts EBT cards both in-store and online nationwide, including in California. There are currently around 152 Sprouts locations in the state.
Does Sprouts take EBT in Texas?
You can use your EBT card to buy SNAP-eligible items at all 56 stores across the state. For online orders, add your EBT card to your Sprouts account and link a credit or debit card to cover any non-eligible items, taxes, or fees.
Can you use EBT at self-checkout?
You can use your EBT card at self-checkout stations and regular checkout in Sprouts Farmers Market.
Does EBT cover protein powder at Sprouts?
You can use EBT to purchase certain protein powders at Sprouts, provided they are classified as food items. Check the product label: if it displays a “Nutrition Facts” panel, it’s considered a food item and is EBT-eligible. Conversely, products labeled with a “Supplement Facts” panel are categorized as supplements and are not eligible for EBT purchase.
Conclusion
Needless to say, Sprouts offers a convenient and EBT-friendly shopping experience. It makes it easy to access high-quality food with your benefits. With a wide selection of EBT-eligible items and growing support for online payments, Sprouts is a good option for SNAP recipients.