Grocery stores across Missouri are bracing for financial fallout if SNAP—the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—isn’t funded in November due to the federal shutdown.
“There are certain areas of Missouri that have a higher usage of SNAP,” said Dan Shaul, Executive Director of the Missouri Grocers Association.
“I think it’s going to be a concern regardless of where you live, but certain urban and rural areas both have a high snap potential,” said Shaul. “The central part of the state around military bases, several of our servicemen and women are on SNAP as well. So, I think this is going to be a problem that affects all citizens in the state of Missouri.”
Shaul told Missourinet that he believes the shutdown will impact the supply chain and prices.
“Will prices be affected? I think for short term,” said Shaul. “We’ll have more stock on hand because people won’t be purchasing food. We’re guardedly optimistic, I guess to say that we think this supply chain will weather this well.”
Shaul asked shoppers to be patient.
“With what’s happening, a lot of people will not know that they didn’t get benefits,” said Shaul. “And it could get kind of testy, let’s say, in the grocery stores at point of sale or wherever you get your stamp benefits.”
Shaul told Missourinet that the grocers’ top concern is making sure people have enough food to get by.
“We work with food banks and resources like that on our regular basis,” said Shaul. “Have regular pickups of fruit and produce that may be getting to where it needs to be consumed sooner than later, and certainly with bakery products as well.”
Shaul encourages SNAP recipients to check with local food banks and community resources to help ensure they have access to food in the weeks ahead.
Copyright © 2025 · Missourinet