Students from Case Western Reserve University surveyed 26 grocery retailers in Cleveland and East Cleveland, hearing directly from 20 store managers and 17 cashiers about the impact of recent SNAP changes.
SNAP work requirements hurt sales
Nearly 60% of managers said they expect or have already seen a decline in sales after the federal One Big Beautiful Bill, signed in July 2025, added work requirements and cut SNAP spending by roughly $187 billion through 2034. The law also removed refugees and asylees from eligibility and placed veterans, former foster youth, homeless individuals and parents with children over 14 under the new work rules.
Enrollment in Cuyahoga County fell by about 14,000 participants between October 2025 and July 2026, and officials expect more losses as the work requirement is enforced.
Local stores feel the strain
“Store margins are already thin,” said Darcy Freedman, professor overseeing the research and director of the Mary Ann Swetland Center for Environmental Health. “Within a year we could lose a store because there isn’t enough money circulating.”
Cashiers reported that roughly 60% of shoppers were running out of funds on their electronic benefit (EBT) cards, and many cards were being declined at checkout. About 55% of managers said they have already altered ordering plans for produce, meat and dairy.
Produce Perks program suspended
The federal cut also ended the Produce Perks program at Dave’s Markets, which matched SNAP purchases of produce dollar‑for‑dollar up to $10. The program continues at local farmers markets but its loss further squeezes both customers and retailers.
Information gap and county response
Despite the changes, 65% of store staff said they were unaware of the new work requirements. County Director of Job and Family Services Kevin Gowan noted the agency held press briefings and listening sessions, yet confusion remains.
Cuyahoga County is developing printable resources and handheld cards for retailers to distribute, explaining how residents can verify their EBT status, access emergency food, and find job‑training opportunities. The county acknowledges that the onus will fall on grocery stores to hand out this information.
Broader community impact
Community leaders, including MetroHealth’s Institute for H.O.P.E. co‑chair Marielee Santiago‑Rodriguez, stress the importance of clarifying exemptions for pregnant or disabled residents. They warn that increasing reliance on emergency food reduces dollars flowing back into the local retail market.
The findings highlight how federal policy shifts ripple through Ohio’s neighborhoods, affecting families, faith‑based charities, and the local economy.
Original reporting: Signal Cleveland — read the source article.
