ICYMI: Republicans’ SNAP Cuts to Devastate Rural Americans And Access to Affordable Groceries

“The deep cuts Republicans made to federal nutrition programs this summer are poised to devastate independent grocery stores that are central to many low-income communities, including those that voted for President Donald Trump.”

WASHINGTON, DC – New reporting from POLITICO today puts a spotlight on Trump and Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill and how its cuts to SNAP will be particularly devastating to rural America. 

The hundreds of billions of dollars in SNAP cuts in Republicans’ bill are designed to help offset tax cuts for billionaires and corporations, changes that will cause 22.3 million families to lose some or all of their SNAP benefits, losing the average American family $146 a month. 

See key reporting from POLITICO below: 

• “Food aid recipients often make up the majority of small grocers’ customer base in remote areas and food deserts — places that have limited options for fresh, healthy food. But a central part of paying for the GOP policy megabill Trump signed on July 4 relied on slashing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the nation’s largest anti-hunger initiative.”

• “Republicans’ overhaul of the anti-hunger program will lead to thousands of job losses and a drop in revenue across the agriculture, retail grocery and food processing industries, according to a study from the Commonwealth Fund.”

• “Independent grocers said in interviews that they are considering cutting staff or pivoting to e-commerce and delivery services to stave off some of the anticipated profit loss.”

• “In many areas, small grocery stores double as community hubs, hardware stores and stock products from local producers. Each SNAP dollar spent in a rural are