Can CalFresh EBT be used for protein powder at Aldi in Fresno?

I can help clarify this! CalFresh benefits can only be used on food items intended for human consumption. Protein powder falls into a gray area that depends on how it's marketed and labeled. If the protein powder has a Nutrition Facts label (not Supplement Facts), you can usually purchase it with EBT. Most Aldi protein powders should qualify since they're marketed as food items, not dietary supplements. The same rules apply regardless of which store location you visit in Fresno.

bought protein powder at aldi on blackstone with my ebt last week no problem. they have that earth grown plant one thats eligible. the muscle powder with the guy on it isnt eligible tho

I tried to buy protein powder at the Aldi on Shaw and they said NO!!! The cashier was super rude about it too and made a big deal in front of everyone about how "supplements aren't food" and I was SO embarrassed!! This was like 3 months ago tho so maybe things changed?? IDK but be careful cause different cashiers might say different things and its THE WORST feeling when they deny your card!!!!!

The whole system is ridiculous! They let you buy candy and soda with EBT but then give you a hard time about protein powder that's actually nutritious?? MAKES NO SENSE. I've had mixed results at different stores in Fresno. Some cashiers don't care, others act like you're committing fraud for trying. It's all about the specific item and how it's categorized in their system. The government doesn't want poor people to be healthy, I swear.

I used to work at Aldi (not in Fresno but San Bernardino) and here's what I know: their system automatically knows what's EBT eligible. If it's coded as food in their system, it'll go through. The Earth Grown and Fit & Active protein powders usually qualify because they're coded as food items. The muscle building ones with creatine don't qualify cause they're supplements. If you're worried, you can always ask customer service to check if an item is EBT eligible before getting to checkout!

just an fyi i tried to use my calfresh at gnc for protein and they laughed at me lol. then i went to walmart and got their equate brand protein shake powder with ebt no problem. haven't tried aldi but i might now after reading these comments!

If you're having issues resolving this or any other CalFresh questions, I'd recommend using Claimyr to get through to an actual county eligibility worker. I was confused about what I could buy with my benefits and spent days trying to get through on the regular line without success. With Claimyr, I got through to a Fresno County worker in about 10 minutes who explained exactly what supplement products qualify. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/eZ19FHRETv8?si=_CXnXqNXbLl26WB8 or just go to claimyr.com. It saved me so much frustration!

Update: I went to the Aldi on Blackstone today and found two different protein powders. The Earth Grown plant protein had a Nutrition Facts label and worked with EBT! The other one (some fitness brand with a guy flexing on it) had a Supplement Facts label and didn't work. Thanks everyone for your help! For anyone wondering the same thing - check the label!