Whole Foods penny and cash rounding policy

What Whole Foods does with cash totals

Nexstar’s NewsNation reported in January 2026 that at retailers including Target and Whole Foods, stores that run out of pennies have been rounding change to the nearest nickel in favor of the customer. The report did not quote the company.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported in December 2025 that select Whole Foods locations, including a Lake View store in Chicago, “will round up,” without saying whether that means the change (which would favor you) or the total. Until Whole Foods publishes a rule, check the store’s sign and your receipt.

Does it vary by state?

If a Whole Foods store rounds cash, state law applies: Arizona (when a seller is not using pennies) and Georgia require symmetric rounding of cash totals, and California will from July 1, 2027; Indiana lets businesses choose any method; most other states with laws allow optional symmetric rounding. In Connecticut, state consumer protection guidance says to round cash totals down only until the state’s rounding law takes effect on January 1, 2027. In Washington you may pay the exact, unrounded total if you have the coins, and Georgia’s law requires merchants to accept exact payment including pennies.

Card vs cash

Card, Prime Visa, Amazon app and EBT payments are electronic and charged the exact amount.

Tips for customers

• Pay by card or app if you want the exact price.
• If you pay cash, check whether the store rounds your change up (good for you) or your total up.
• Bring pennies if you want exact change; most stores still accept them.

Checked against the sources below as of October 31, 2026. Store policies change; if your store does something different, the sign at the register and your receipt are the best guide. Compare other chains on the store policies page, or check a total with the calculator.