The Truth About SNAP: A Lifeline, Not a Lifestyle

In the ongoing national debate over government spending and social safety nets, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — commonly known as SNAP — often finds itself at the center of controversy. Critics are quick to cast SNAP as a crutch for the lazy or a symbol of runaway entitlement. But as someone who works in the grocery industry every day, I want to set the record straight: SNAP is not a handout. It's a highly efficient, targeted emergency support system that helps millions of Americans get through hard times.

Let’s start with a basic fact: most SNAP recipients use the program temporarily. 82% of SNAP recipients seeking employment will leave the program in under a year. Most recipients are people who have lost a job, faced a medical emergency, gone through a divorce, or are otherwise navigating a period of financial instability. SNAP helps them keep food on the table while they get back on their feet.

That’s not abuse. That’s what a safety net is supposed to do.

The idea that SNAP discourages work or fosters dependency simply doesn’t reflect the reality we see in stores across the country.

There are long-term SNAP recipients. But here’s who they are: seniors living on fixed incomes. People with disabilities. Single parents caring for children with special needs. Veterans suffering from chronic health issues.

These aren’t “able-bodied freeloaders.” They are our neighbors, friends, and family members — living with dignity despite hardship. They stay on SNAP longer because their challenges are not temporary.

It's Not Much—Just $6 a Day. For all the political heat it attracts, SNAP is a modest benefit. The average person receives just $6 a day — about $2 per meal. That’s not enough to live extravagantly. It’s enough to buy staples, stretch a budget, and avoid hunger. And yes, grocers like our IGA stores accept SNAP — but believe me, no one’s getting rich off $6 a day.

Whats more, compared to many government programs, SNAP Is incredibly efficient. In an era where so many government programs are bogged down by waste and red tape, SNAP stands out. About 6% of the program’s cost goes to administration. Fraud is remarkably low — around 1%, according to USDA data (and that fraud mostly takes place in the convenience sector, not grocery). And every dollar spent on SNAP generates up to $1.50 in economic activity, helping not just families, but small businesses and grocers in every town across America.

As independent grocers, we’re in a unique position to see the real impact of SNAP. We serve the people who rely on it. We talk to the single mom trying to make a healthy dinner stretch. We see the senior who carefully plans every shopping trip to stay within their budget.

These aren’t faces of abuse. They’re faces of resilience.

Which means that right now, our legislators at the local and national level need to hear the truth about SNAP. There are a lot of misinformed critics, screaming that SNAP is broken or bloated, but I encourage you to show them the facts, and to encourage them to look closer. The data doesn’t support that narrative — and neither does the experience of the independent grocers who serve these customers every day.

At IGA, we believe in food for all. SNAP helps make that possible. And as long as we have neighbors in need, we’ll be proud to support this program — and the people it serves.

Share your voice — and the data. Contact your Senators to urge them to oppose cuts to SNAP. Click here to contact them directly.