Latest Breaking News

BumRushDaShow

(163,070 posts) Wed Sep 3, 2025, 07:02 AM Sep 3

A historic change in how Americans buy groceries is underway as SNAP benefit cuts begin [View all]

Source: NBC News

Sept. 2, 2025, 9:18 PM EDT / Source: CNBC

On Monday, under new policy included in President Trump’s tax law, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that have provided low-income Americans with more purchasing power in the grocery store begin to go into effect. According to one estimate, it is “the largest cut to SNAP in history,” a federal program which in one form or another dates back to the New Deal era and currently provides basic food assistance to more than 40 million people.

Grocers large and small are bracing for the impact of changes to the SNAP program. A CBO analysis released this month estimates that 2.4 million fewer Americans, including families with children, are forecast to receive food stamps benefits in an average month. Other estimates show families across the U.S. could lose anywhere from $72 to $231 per month in support.

While low-income Americans will have more difficulty qualifying for the benefits, many experts predict that some of the largest grocers, despite having many SNAP recipients among their ranks of customers, may actually benefit. According to consumer data company Numerator’s verified purchase data for SNAP users, Walmart leads in SNAP shopper spend with 24 percent, followed by Kroger (8%), Costco (6%), Amazon (5%), and Sam’s Club (4%).

“On the surface one would think less SNAP would be a negative, but the way these things have played out in the past and the way I think it will play out this time is that discount grocers that focus on value, these kinds of economic headwinds for lower-income customers end up being a positive,” said Michael Baker, analyst at D.A. Davidson & Co.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/historic-change-americans-buy-groceries-underway-snap-benefit-cuts-beg-rcna228625

This "business" verbal vomit neglects to say that the "trading down" to a "BJ"s means a "membership fee" (as does Amazon, Costco's & Sam's Club) that many of these households will not be able to afford due to OTHER cuts to their income, which is why they need access to SNAP in the first place. Talk about tone deaf.

MEMBERSHIP FEES

AMAZON
Prime = $139/yr

COSTCO'S
Gold Star = $65/yr
Executive = $130/yr

SAM'S CLUB
Standard = $50/yr
Plus = $110/yr

BJ's WHOLESALE
Basic = $60/yr
Club+ = $120/yr

41 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

A historic change in how Americans buy groceries is underway as SNAP benefit cuts begin [View all] BumRushDaShow Sep 3 OP

Food pantries will be stressed. no_hypocrisy Sep 3 #1

And especially with the crops that will rot in the field BumRushDaShow Sep 3 #4

I remember markodochartaigh Sep 3 #13

I don't follow their logic..... essaynnc Sep 3 #2

It's "verbal vomit". BumRushDaShow Sep 3 #5

If you can't blind them with brilliance then baffle them with BULLSHIT applies here Bengus81 Sep 3 #7

They're saying this could drive smaller supermarkets out of business, while the bigger ones weather the storm muriel_volestrangler Sep 3 #9

The bigger ones being part of the 1% ... it's all quid pro quo. live love laugh Sep 3 #28

So food deserts will grow across the country. n/t OnlinePoker Sep 3 #35

1984 Marthe48 Sep 3 #14

" I don't follow their logic" markodochartaigh Sep 3 #16

well said Skittles Sep 3 #39

Economists call it an "inferior good" DBoon Sep 3 #18

LOL @ nobody giving you the actual answer: other stores can't compete with their low prices mathematic Sep 3 #20

Correct; shoppers who formerly used SNAP will change to lower cost grocers. tableturner Sep 3 #38

Simple. More people buying cheap, processed shit at Walmart NickB79 Sep 3 #23

Bum I agree. I read the entire article and it makes no sense to me. Irish_Dem Sep 3 #3

AND, the Walmart heirs will just have to popsdenver Sep 3 #12

No stores, no groceries, no healthcare. Irish_Dem Sep 3 #31

We know who they blame for everything popsdenver Sep 3 #33

They might also not have the storage space to buy in bulk. LisaM Sep 3 #26

Exactly. People take adequate storage space for granted. Irish_Dem Sep 3 #32

Or people who take the bus to buy groceries, as I do, can't buy much in bulk progree Sep 3 #36

Same here. I do most shopping on foot or bus or transit. LisaM Sep 3 #37

What a convoluted mess this article is. Good grief. littlemissmartypants Sep 3 #6

I think grocery shopping is still mainly done in-person at the store, rather than home delivery FakeNoose Sep 3 #8

We have an Amazon Fresh store nearby BWdem4life Sep 3 #24

Good to know, thanks! FakeNoose Sep 3 #34

Also Affecting Welfare Managers modrepub Sep 3 #10

What bs Figarosmom Sep 3 #11

Bullshit. SamKnause Sep 3 #15

make Americans desperate and afraid again IronLionZion Sep 3 #17

We have a family plan with Sams Club Historic NY Sep 3 #19

If you are on SNAP Amazon only charges $7.50 per month. Jacson6 Sep 3 #21

$72 to $231 is a week's worth of groceries to many people Bayard Sep 3 #22

If you only read the first sentence you get the opposite meaning. not a texan Sep 3 #25

shoplifting and food theft will certainly increase..... getagrip_already Sep 3 #27

Sadly, I recall that farmers used to be in favor of food subsidies because it was a direct benefit to THEM Hekate Sep 3 #29

They got spoiled BumRushDaShow Sep 3 #30

Now they're just in favor of certain subsidies---THEIRS Bengus81 Sep 3 #40

GD all the Republicans. raccoon Sep 3 #41