Springfield, IL— As thousands of Illinoisans lost food assistance this month when the Trump administration’s new federal work requirements kicked in, independent local grocery stores across the state are bracing for inevitable losses. With independent grocers already facing small profit margins, local store owners are speaking out about the fallout of losing customers who are SNAP recipients.
In response, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez said the following:
“We know that SNAP benefits are a lifeline for working families to be able to put food on the table, but they are also essential for local economies. The new work requirements don’t just cut benefits, they disrupt the operations of family-owned businesses that act as a pillar in their communities. While Republicans focus on gutting the programs that uplift American businesses, Illinois Democrats are determined to keep fighting to ensure local business owners and families can thrive.”
Illinois Democrats have made it a priority to uplift small businesses and encourage new independent grocers. The Advantage Illinois program helps eligible small businesses by enhancing access to capital and loans. The Illinois Grocery Initiative directly addresses food insecurity by providing grants to Illinoisans so that they can open grocery stores in food deserts.
Key excerpts from Capitol News Illinois: As Illinoisans lose federal food assistance, independent grocers face debt, store closure
By Jenna Schweikert
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“If you’ve got a really strong grocery store, you’ve got a really strong school district, other things are going to follow suit. … But without those two things, like, it gets really hard for communities to thrive.”- Craig Norrenberns, fourth-generation Illinois grocer.
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“Many independent grocery stores struggle to make substantial profits, with high overhead costs and inconsistent consumer habits. And when consumers’ spending power is limited, like when they lose SNAP benefits, local businesses feel the effects of their limited spending. During the federal shutdown last fall, when some SNAP recipients didn’t receive their November benefits, Norrenberns said he knew some business owners who saw the effects of that.”
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“The reality is, like, everybody’s got to eat,” Norrenberns said. “What happens when there’s a hunger crisis — well, it leads to crime, it leads to the kids not being able to perform in school because … they don’t have food at home.”
