New York City Grocery Stores Feel the Pinch as SNAP Cuts Loom
In low-income neighborhoods, grocery stores are bracing for the impact of impending cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which could devastate businesses that rely heavily on food stamp sales.
For Pioneer Supermarket in Mott Haven, manager Marisol Veras says that when shoppers lose their SNAP benefits at the end of each month, sales plummet by 30%. The store's customers pay with SNAP benefits for nearly all their purchases, with 85 out of every 100 customers relying on the program. This loss of revenue could force the store to lay off staff or reduce its offerings.
SNAP recipients are already facing challenges due to a shutdown-induced disruption in monthly payments starting November 1. Additionally, the Trump administration's tax and spending measure expands work rules for SNAP beneficiaries, who will lose benefits next year if they can't prove they're employed. This policy change is expected to have a compounding effect on low-income neighborhoods, where shoppers may struggle to afford food due to rising prices and limited access to healthy options.
Grocers in high-poverty areas are particularly vulnerable to these changes, as they operate on razor-thin profits and rely on volume sales to stay afloat. Food retailers in such areas will likely feel the pinch soon after November 1, with some stores potentially forced to shut down due to reduced revenue.
The National Grocers Association estimates that SNAP purchases inject nearly $100 billion into the national economy each year. A 9% reduction in benefits would cost the U.S. government about $10 billion annually and result in a loss of approximately $360 million for New Yorkers and their grocery stores.
Experts warn that these cuts will have a devastating impact on low-income communities, creating food deserts and limiting access to healthy food options. Without a more permanent solution, store closures could lead to fewer options and reduced access for residents.
As the implementation of these changes looms, business owners like Sergio Hector at Mr. N Seafood Market in the Bronx fear that their stores may be forced to shut down due to declining sales. Rising fish prices and limited revenue due to SNAP cuts will make it challenging for them to maintain operations.
Gina Plata-Nino, the interim director of SNAP at the Food Research & Action Center, notes that federal food benefits not only help individuals but also bolster the food retailers operating in under-resourced communities. By restricting these benefits based on employment status, policymakers may inadvertently shrink the job market and reduce staffing levels among small businesses.
As the situation unfolds, grocery stores will be closely watching the impact of these policy changes on their operations and customers.
In low-income neighborhoods, grocery stores are bracing for the impact of impending cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which could devastate businesses that rely heavily on food stamp sales.
For Pioneer Supermarket in Mott Haven, manager Marisol Veras says that when shoppers lose their SNAP benefits at the end of each month, sales plummet by 30%. The store's customers pay with SNAP benefits for nearly all their purchases, with 85 out of every 100 customers relying on the program. This loss of revenue could force the store to lay off staff or reduce its offerings.
SNAP recipients are already facing challenges due to a shutdown-induced disruption in monthly payments starting November 1. Additionally, the Trump administration's tax and spending measure expands work rules for SNAP beneficiaries, who will lose benefits next year if they can't prove they're employed. This policy change is expected to have a compounding effect on low-income neighborhoods, where shoppers may struggle to afford food due to rising prices and limited access to healthy options.
Grocers in high-poverty areas are particularly vulnerable to these changes, as they operate on razor-thin profits and rely on volume sales to stay afloat. Food retailers in such areas will likely feel the pinch soon after November 1, with some stores potentially forced to shut down due to reduced revenue.
The National Grocers Association estimates that SNAP purchases inject nearly $100 billion into the national economy each year. A 9% reduction in benefits would cost the U.S. government about $10 billion annually and result in a loss of approximately $360 million for New Yorkers and their grocery stores.
Experts warn that these cuts will have a devastating impact on low-income communities, creating food deserts and limiting access to healthy food options. Without a more permanent solution, store closures could lead to fewer options and reduced access for residents.
As the implementation of these changes looms, business owners like Sergio Hector at Mr. N Seafood Market in the Bronx fear that their stores may be forced to shut down due to declining sales. Rising fish prices and limited revenue due to SNAP cuts will make it challenging for them to maintain operations.
Gina Plata-Nino, the interim director of SNAP at the Food Research & Action Center, notes that federal food benefits not only help individuals but also bolster the food retailers operating in under-resourced communities. By restricting these benefits based on employment status, policymakers may inadvertently shrink the job market and reduce staffing levels among small businesses.
As the situation unfolds, grocery stores will be closely watching the impact of these policy changes on their operations and customers.
. I mean, 30% sales drop in one month? That's like, business as usual for a lot of these grocery stores... not. And it's not just about the financials, either - it's about people's access to food. I've seen those lines at food banks and shelters, and it's heartbreaking. Can't we find a way to make sure everyone's got enough to eat? 
I don't know what the solution is, but we need to do something 'cause these cuts are gonna be devastating for a lot of people.
It's not just about the stores closing down, but also the impact on the community. I mean, who's gonna be left with food options? Experts are warning us that this could create food deserts and limit access to healthy food - it's a recipe for disaster!
. I've seen friends and family members struggle with food insecurity before, and it's just heartbreaking. Can't we find a way to make sure these people have access to healthy food without messing up the system?
Low-income neighborhoods are gonna feel the pinch big time if those SNAP cuts come in. It's not just about the money, it's about access to food, period. I mean, who hasn't been there? You're trying to make ends meet, and then BAM! Your grocery store relies on you to pay with SNAP benefits. It's like they're putting the squeeze on a already tight budget. 
. I mean, we all know how hard it is for low-income families to afford food already, and this just gonna push 'em further into the dark ages of hunger 
. The thought of closing down stores 'cause they can't make ends meet is just not right 
. Can't we find a way to help these businesses instead of cutting their lifeline?
I'm getting worried about all these grocery stores in low-income neighborhoods that rely so heavily on SNAP benefits. It's crazy to think that 30% drop in sales is like a big deal for them... like, what if they can't make ends meet? 
. I mean, $100 billion is a HUGE chunk of change 
, but if they cut SNAP benefits, it's like taking that away from them 
, but this just feels like another example of how the system's rigged against low-income folks 
. What's the solution here?! Can't we just find a way to make sure everyone has access to healthy food without breaking the bank?