Aldi class action alleges unequal pricing for SNAP/EBT shoppers

By Top Class Actions | October 3, 2026

Category: Legal News

(Photo Credit: PHLD Luca/Shutterstock)

Aldi class action lawsuit overview:

Who: A California consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against Aldi Foods Inc., Aldi Inc. and Aldi Express.
Why: The class action lawsuit alleges Aldi charged SNAP/EBT users higher prices for groceries and improperly applied SNAP benefits toward fees.
Where: The Aldi class action lawsuit was removed to California federal court.

A California consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against Aldi, alleging the grocery chain’s online purchasing system improperly charges higher prices to shoppers who use SNAP/EBT benefits.

Plaintiff Sir Caesar La Tour II filed the class action lawsuit against Aldi on Sept. 24, accusing the company of violating federal SNAP requirements by treating customers who use SNAP/EBT benefits differently from other shoppers.

According to the complaint, Aldi operates online grocery purchasing through platforms, including Instacart, and allows customers to use SNAP/EBT benefits for eligible purchases and that federal regulations require retailers to charge the same prices under the same terms and conditions as other customers.

La Tour claims he was charged a premium for his groceries because he paid with SNAP/EBT benefits and lost money or property as a result. He argues the alleged practices impose higher grocery prices on economically vulnerable consumers who rely on SNAP benefits to buy essential food items.

Plaintiff claims non-EBT credit card charged less for identical SNAP qualifying groceries

The plaintiff claims in the Aldi class action lawsuit that he experienced the pricing difference firsthand while shopping through the Instacart app on May 4.

According to the class action lawsuit, he selected Aldi and used his EBT card to purchase five grocery items. The resulting transaction totaled $25.45, with $19.34 charged to his SNAP benefits. He then placed another order for the same items through Instacart using a non-EBT debit card.

The second transaction totaled $22.61 despite being placed around the same time and involving the same store. The complaint states the only difference between the transactions was the payment method.

Based on the plaintiff’s receipts, the SNAP transaction listed $19.34 in EBT-eligible items, while the comparable non-EBT transaction listed a $17.78 item subtotal. The receipts also show separate service fees and other charges.

The class action lawsuit alleges Aldi’s online purchasing structure either charged SNAP users more for eligible groceries or caused SNAP benefits to cover costs associated with delivery, expedited fulfillment or other services that cannot legally be paid for with SNAP funds.

La Tour argues that either scenario results in unequal treatment or improper use of SNAP benefits.

The class action lawsuit asserts a violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law and seeks public injunctive relief. The plaintiff asks the court to prohibit Aldi from charging SNAP users higher prices or materially different terms, directing SNAP users into higher-priced purchasing channels and applying SNAP benefits toward non-eligible fees.

Meanwhile, a consumer sued Dig Inn Restaurant Group, alleging it conceals delivery fees by including them in taxes on its digital ordering platform.

What do you think of the claims made in this Aldi class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by James R. Hawkins, Gregory Mauro, Michael Calvo, Lauren Falk and Ava Issary of James R. Hawkins APLC; David R. Markham and Lisa Brevard of The Markham Law Firm; and Alex Katofsky of Law Offices of Alex Katofsky.

The Aldi class action lawsuit is La Tour II v. Aldi Foods Inc., et al., Case No. 2:26-cv-08737, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.