Kroger SNAP shoppers change spending habits with benefits rollback

Recipients of SNAP EBT benefits are adjusting their spending habits following the March cancellation of the pandemic-era SNAP Emergency Allotments program, according to a new report from Kroger’s data and media company 84.51°. 

The report shows that 37% of SNAP recipients who shop at Kroger said they are taking more of their business to dollar/value stores since the cancellation of the program. That’s compared to 11% who said they've increased their purchases at traditional grocery stores.  

Forty-three percent of survey respondents said they decided where to shop for groceries based on which has the lowest prices, and they’re stretching their dollars by curbing purchases of snacks and candy; drinks; deli, meat and fish items; and fresh bakery items. 

Some 42 million households received the emergency benefits, and 62% of Kroger customers surveyed said the cancellation significantly impacted their budgets. Nearly half (48%) said the benefits rollback means they’re unable to save for retirement and struggle to maintain a monthly budget.  

Another 44% worry that there will be additional cuts to the SNAP program, and 30% are currently behind on payments and unable to keep up financially. More than a third of respondents (34%) are now relying on food banks for their groceries, while 30% are skipping meals. 

Shoppers receiving SNAP benefits identified their most important non-SNAP purchase categories as paper products at 59%, household cleaning supplies at 57%, personal care items at 51% and health care items at 42%. 

* This story was updated to correct the percentage of paper products SNAP benefits shoppers identified as their most important non-SNAP purchase category.