Central Valley businesses struggle as government shutdown delays SNAP benefits

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) — It’s been more than a month since the government shutdown and stores across the Central Valley are feeling the impacts.

“Usually, in the beginning of the month we are super busy with sales, when people give their benefits, but this month we noticed it’s been different. People are worried and are afraid. They have their cash benefits but not their food stamps,” says Yakoob Mohamed, the owner of Jack’s Gas Station.

Local gas station owner, Yakoob Mohamed, says their sales have dropped in recent weeks, specifically on grocery items, chips, drinks, candy and more.

“I personally asked some customers and they didn’t get anything, most of them didn’t get anything. Some of them got partial but it’s not much, it’s a little bit. Most of the other people don’t have any food stamps on their cards. Just cash, most of the people have their cash benefits.”

Mohamed says the shutdown has caused added stress to running his business.

“We have bills that aren’t going to wait for us until food stamps come back, we have employees we have to pay, taxes, they don’t wait even if the government just down they don’t wait for the taxes, they collect they don’t care,” expresses Mohamed.

He says their impacts go beyond the customer, “It’s affecting everyone, it’s bad, I have people that I know that own supermarkets and nobody is happy about this. Not the business owner, not the people, not the families. It’s affecting everyone.”

While some businesses are feeling the impact of the government shutdown, Kids Nutricare in Porterville, says they are running as usual.

Their customers rely on programs that continue to be funded at least through the end of November.

“It has been pretty steady. We are still serving our WIC families everyday, of course there has been a little bit of scare and anxiety. We are here and assuring the participants that it’s going to be good hopefully,” explains Ziya Hirani, Co-Owner of Kids NutriCare.

Hirani continues, “For many families WIC is a lifeline. It makes sure babies are getting formula, and pregnant women are getting their basic nutrition so if there is any delay in the program it is going to affect them and this program means a lot to our community.”

Both business owners say they will continue operating as usual, and hope for the best.

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