By Mo Al-Ebadi OMAHA, Neb.-Thousands of Nebraskans are caught in the middle of the federal SNAP shutdown, leaving families without food assistance and putting pressure on Omaha’s local economy.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, has been paused during the federal government shutdown. The program provides monthly food benefits to more than 270,000 Nebraskans, but with no new funds being distributed, both households and businesses are feeling the effects.
At GreenLand Market, a family-run grocery store in Omaha, owner AbdulHasib Ahadi said sales dropped almost immediately after benefits stopped.
“Actually, yes, to be honest, the sales are pretty down right now, like overall this month,” Ahadi said. “Since they shut down the benefits, we noticed that we have less customer [sic] than before.”
Ahadi said about 70% of his customers use SNAP benefits, and many are trying to stretch what little remains on their EBT cards.
“If they have some benefit, they try to keep it, you know, for later,” he said. “They are not spending that much money like before.”
The federal pause has ripple effects beyond grocery aisles. On the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus, the Durango’s Advancement and Support Hub (DASH), which connects students to basic needs resources, is also seeing increased demand.
Madeline St. Clair, DASH’s assistant director for basic needs and innovation, said the loss of federal aid has created a gap that community organizations are struggling to fill.
“For every one meal that is provided by a food pantry, nine meals can be provided by SNAP,” St. Clair said. “So, as we rely more on food banks and food pantries, we’re definitely already feeling that strain.”
She added that hunger levels across the community have continued to rise.
“We’re seeing it much more, and at a higher and more urgent need because of SNAP benefits being paused,” she said.
Ahadi said small businesses like his can’t absorb the loss for long.
“Hope they can fix it as soon as possible,” he said.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services continues to accept SNAP applications and says benefits will be distributed once federal funding resumes.
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