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Food banks and groceries brace for SNAP pause

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  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, October 24th 2025 at 17:20 GMT by Associated Press
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Food Banks and Grocery Stores Brace for a Potential SNAP Pause

In the wake of an impending federal pause in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, food banks and grocery retailers across the country are scrambling to prepare for what could be a significant disruption to both their operations and the people they serve. The pause, which is expected to last up to a month, comes amid a broader funding standoff between the federal government and Congress that has left the future of food assistance programs in limbo.

The federal pause is part of a budgetary stalemate in which the House of Representatives’ Appropriations Committee has decided to temporarily halt new SNAP benefit disbursements until a final appropriations bill is passed. The decision was announced late last week and will take effect on Friday, giving states and agencies a narrow window to decide whether to extend benefits through alternative funding or risk a sudden loss of income for millions of low‑income households.

For grocery retailers, the impact is immediate. SNAP benefits account for approximately 10 percent of total grocery sales, and many small to mid‑size stores rely heavily on this steady stream of revenue to cover operating costs. “We’ve seen an uptick in SNAP sales in the last quarter as more families turn to food assistance,” said Linda Thompson, manager of a 10‑unit grocery chain in Ohio. “If the pause hits, we could see a sharp drop in foot traffic and a sudden cash flow crunch that could affect everything from stocking to staffing.”

Food banks, which receive donations from grocery retailers in the form of donated goods and sometimes financial contributions tied to SNAP sales, are also feeling the strain. The nonprofit sector has seen a dramatic rise in demand for food assistance in the past two years, driven by inflation, unemployment spikes, and supply chain disruptions. According to the Food Bank Network, the number of households served by member food banks increased by 15 percent since the start of 2023.

“SNAP is a lifeline for the people we serve,” said Marissa Delgado, executive director of the San Diego Food Bank. “When benefits pause, the ripple effects are felt in the community. Some families may have to rely on emergency food relief or double up on food from multiple sources. We are already ramping up our intake processes to accommodate those who may need more help.”

In response, several state agencies have taken proactive steps. California’s Department of Social Services announced a temporary extension of SNAP benefits to certain recipients who would otherwise lose coverage. The extension, funded by state reserves, is expected to cover about 500,000 people for a six‑week period. Similarly, New York’s Human Resources Administration has set up a rapid‑response task force to issue emergency benefits and will work with federal partners to secure funding for a temporary bridge program.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued guidance for states, urging them to maintain continuity of benefit payments and to explore alternative funding sources. In a briefing released on the USDA’s SNAP page, officials emphasized that states can apply for Emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (ESNAP) funds to cover any shortfall during the pause. The USDA also reminded recipients that any benefits received before the pause will remain valid, but new benefit applications will be halted.

Food banks and grocery stores are also looking to community partners for help. The Food Bank Network has organized a “Food Bank Support Initiative” that pools resources from local businesses, faith‑based organizations, and municipal governments to fill the gap left by a paused SNAP program. Meanwhile, grocery chains are negotiating with suppliers to keep essential items in stock and are revising their inventory models to account for the possibility of decreased demand.

The pause’s timing has added to the uncertainty. Although the federal government has not set a definitive end date, most analysts predict that the pause will last until a new appropriations bill is signed into law. If Congress fails to reach an agreement by the federal budget deadline of September 30, the pause could extend for several months, deepening the strain on both food banks and grocery retailers.

Many in the food assistance community fear that a prolonged pause could exacerbate the existing food insecurity crisis. “Food banks are already stretched thin,” noted Delgado. “We can’t lose the predictable flow of SNAP benefit funds, or we risk falling behind in meeting the growing demand.” Similarly, grocery retailers worry that an extended pause could hurt their bottom line, especially for smaller chains that operate on tight margins.

Despite the uncertainty, there are signs of resilience. Several grocery stores have pledged to maintain a minimum inventory of staple foods and are working with the USDA to secure priority access to food aid programs. Food banks have tapped into emergency donation drives, leveraging online platforms and community networks to gather additional food supplies.

The pause also highlights the importance of bipartisan support for SNAP. Former USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, speaking at a recent policy forum, warned that a prolonged pause would undermine public confidence in the program. “If people see that their benefits can be withdrawn at any moment, they may lose faith in the system,” he said. “We need a stable, predictable framework that protects vulnerable families.”

In the days ahead, the fate of the SNAP pause will hinge on the political will to reach a funding compromise. For the countless families who rely on food assistance, the pause represents a precarious pause in an otherwise stable system. Meanwhile, food banks and grocery retailers will continue to prepare, drawing on community resources, state guidance, and federal policy to navigate the uncertain waters ahead.