The National Grocers Association (NGA) has released new economic data demonstrating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) impact on sustaining American jobs and driving economic activity in communities across the country.
According to the new economic analysis, SNAP funding supports about 388,000 jobs, more than $20 billion in direct wages, resulting in more than $4.5 billion in state and federal tax revenue.
These findings reaffirm that SNAP not only helps more than 40 million Americans fight food insecurity but also supports American jobs and keeps local economies strong, particularly in rural and underserved communities where independent grocers often are a key employer and economic anchor.
“SNAP is not just food assistance for families – it’s an economic engine that bolsters jobs on Main Street,” said Stephanie Johnson, RDN, NGA’s group VP for government relations and a registered dietitian.
“This data confirms what independent grocers see every day: SNAP dollars circulate directly through local businesses, helping to pay local wages, keep shelves stocked and support essential services in communities nationwide.”
Independent community grocers serve as a crucial access point for SNAP beneficiaries, accepting benefits in areas where national chains may not operate.
The program helps ensure the availability and purchase of nutritious food at local retailers, which sustains jobs in stores, warehouses, trucking companies, farms and food manufacturing facilities – sectors that collectively employ millions of Americans.
NGA urges lawmakers to maintain a strong and adequately funded SNAP program in the upcoming reconciliation bill and cautions that cuts or structural changes could have far-reaching consequences for food access, economic growth and employment.
“As policymakers debate the future of SNAP, we urge them to recognize its full economic impact,” Johnson said. “A robust and efficient SNAP program is more than food assistance for families who have fallen on hard times – it’s a sound investment in America’s workers, businesses and communities.”
NGA’s latest SNAP data, which includes state and congressional district-level dashboards, can be accessed here.
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