SNAP Benefits Freeze: Impact on Small Grocers and Communities

Wed Nov 12 2025 17:01:32 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The suspension of SNAP benefits during the ongoing government shutdown has significantly affected small grocery stores and their customers. Owners express frustration over the loss of sales and the impact on families relying on food assistance.

The recent suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits has led to substantial financial losses for small grocery businesses across the United States. Owners like Ryan Sprankle of Kittanning, PA, and Liz Abunaw of Chicago witness declining sales and increased concerns among their customers who rely on government assistance. The ripple effects of the SNAP funding freeze emphasize the importance of this program, not only as a safety net for families but also as a vital component of the local economy.

A little over a year ago, Ryan Sprankle welcomed President Donald Trump to one of the grocery stores his family owns near Pittsburgh. Their conversation revolved around rising grocery prices, but now, Sprankle's message would be markedly different. The ongoing government shutdown and the delay of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have created significant hardships for his customers and his small grocery chain.

“You can’t take away from the most needy people in the country. It’s inhumane,” said Sprankle, expressing his anger at lawmakers. The automatic freeze of SNAP funding, which surfaced at the end of October, has jeopardized food access for around 42 million Americans. Recently, the U.S. Senate passed legislation to restore SNAP funding, but uncertainty looms as the U.S. House of Representatives still must consider the bill.

In 2024, SNAP recipients redeemed approximately $96 billion in benefits, with a significant portion spent at grocery stores, impacting businesses large and small. Many smaller grocers depend on SNAP transactions to sustain operations. Etharin Cousin, former director of the United Nations World Food Program, highlighted SNAP’s dual role as both a safety net for families and an economic driver for neighborhoods.

Sprankle noted that his own store receives about 25% of its revenue from SNAP, and when food assistance is interrupted, the entire community feels the crunch. Customers without government support are adjusting their spending and turning to food banks. This dropped sales impede Sprankle’s ability to offer overtime to staff, who are anxious about job security during this critical period.

In a similar vein, Liz Abunaw, owner of Forty Acres Fresh Market in Chicago, shared how the absence of SNAP benefits affects both her bottom line and community dynamics. Although only 12% of her revenue comes from SNAP, the loss could slow growth and hinder her ability to pay employees and suppliers. “SNAP is currency. I get money I then use in this economy,” she explained.

Overall, the suspension of SNAP aid sent shockwaves throughout local economies, revealed in personal stories from store owners like Maxfield Kaniger, who operates Kanbe’s Markets in Kansas City. Kaniger identified a 10% drop in sales at some convenience stores immediately following the SNAP benefit suspension.

Many store owners are stepping up with creative solutions to support their communities. Babir Sultan, who operates FavTrip convenience stores in food deserts, noted that he provides free produce to SNAP beneficiaries, emphasizing community collaboration during difficult times.

As discussions around the federal budget continue, the importance of SNAP remains evident not just as a food assistance program but as a fundamental economic support system for families and local businesses alike.