Federal cuts to SNAP mean 2.4 million Americans will now go without food assistance — and millions more will see it shrink. How to lower grocery costs

Making matters worse, Urban Institute found that these cuts would mean 22.3 million U.S. families will lose some or all of their SNAP benefit, which provides basic food assistance to more than 40 million Americans in a typical month.

Urban Institute's research also found that, of the 22.3 million affected families, 5.3 million families would lose at least $25 per month in benefits — and for those families, the average lost benefit would be around $146 per month, or $1,752 per year [2].

According to the White House, these cuts will ensure that SNAP will “serve the truly needy.”

“The mission of the program has failed,” according to an article published by the White House. “SNAP was intended to be temporary help for those who encounter tough times — we are strengthening this program to serve those who need it most [3].”

The impact on grocers

According to CNBC, independent grocers will feel a big impact from these cuts.

While some grocers see only about 1% of sales coming from SNAP, the program accounts for up to 70% of sales for others. The National Grocers Association — which represents independent and small chain grocery stores that comprise one-third of the U.S. grocery industry — says SNAP makes up 12% of U.S. grocery sales, and the cuts could impact anywhere from 6%-10% of those sales [4].

Meanwhile, some experts predict that large retailers may actually benefit from the cuts. Many shoppers who frequent stores like Target and Costco are expected to seek out lower-cost grocers, and big retailers like Walmart — which offer lower prices because of their purchasing power — stand to benefit.

As SNAP recipients find themselves with less money to spend on food, they'll likely be forced to search for ways to save on food costs. CNBC noted that the SNAP cuts will likely have a negative effect on the health of those who rely on this program, as many may be forced to keep their costs down by purchasing cheap, unhealthy food.

A poor diet is linked to significant health costs, including $50 billion per year in treating cardiometabolic diseases across the country. A poor diet is also linked to roughly 18 percent of all heart disease, strokes and Type 2 diabetes costs in the U.S. [5].

How to budget for SNAP cuts

If your family will be affected by cuts to the SNAP program, here are some strategies to make your food budget go further every month:

• Changing how much meat your family eats can be one way to adapt. High-protein vegetarian options such as tofu and legumes (beans, chickpeas and lentils) can help stretch your budget
• Make a meal plan, shop with a grocery list, and cook in batches so you can freeze portions and have food ready for the week
• Ensure you take enough time in your week for meal planning and prepping. When you run short on time, you’re more likely to turn to ready-made options, which can be less cost effective and often less nutritious
• Buy meat on sale and in bulk. After that, cut the meat into portions and label them with dates before putting these portions into the freezer
• Look into loyalty programs for different grocers, keep an eye on weekly flyers for special deals, and try out a couponing app like Flipp or Ibotta to find further discounts on your weekly groceries

When budgeting isn’t enough

If you’re still not able to access enough food because of cuts to your SNAP benefits, there may be other programs in your area that can help.

Food banks are an option that can help bridge the gap. You may no longer qualify for the same amount of SNAP benefits, but that doesn’t mean you won’t qualify for food bank assistance.

State and local programs are another potential option. For example, some states have a SNAP enhancement called Double Up Food Bucks that will match SNAP dollars spent on fresh produce [6]. Talk to your local SNAP-Ed office or human services department about what programs may be available in your area.

Your community may also have programs that address food insecurity such as community gardens, neighborhood fridges and food-sharing programs.

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