News
November 10, 2025
SNAP sales down at Mass. farmers markets since Nov. 1
Massachusetts farmers are beginning to feel the effects of reduced federal SNAP benefits, with some businesses reporting their SNAP are down by half at farmers markets around Boston.Nov. 1 was the one-month mark for the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1. Patrick Penn, deputy under secretary of food nutrition and consumer services for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said last week in a court filing that SNAP recipients will receive 65% of their benefits for the month. The decision follows an order by a federal judge for the Trump administration to use emergency funding for the program Oct. 31.More on this story from Boston Business Journal
**SNAP Usage Dips at Massachusetts Farmers Markets After Benefit Cuts**
Massachusetts farmers are starting to see a decline in sales attributed to the recent reduction in federal SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. Businesses operating at farmers markets, particularly around the Boston area, are reporting a significant drop in SNAP transactions, with some experiencing a decrease of as much as 50%.
The downturn comes after a decrease in federal SNAP benefits that took effect following a period of government uncertainty. November 1st marked the one-month point since the start of the federal government shutdown on October 1st, an event that had immediate and cascading effects on various federally funded programs, including SNAP.
According to a recent court filing by Patrick Penn, deputy under secretary of food nutrition and consumer services for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), SNAP recipients in Massachusetts will receive only 65% of their usual benefits for the month. This reduction significantly impacts the purchasing power of low-income individuals and families who rely on SNAP to access fresh, healthy food.
The decision to reduce benefits followed a legal challenge, which resulted in a federal judge ordering the Trump administration to utilize emergency funding for the program on October 31st. While this action provided some temporary relief, it wasn't enough to prevent the subsequent reduction in benefits.
The decrease in SNAP usage at farmers markets highlights the direct impact of federal policy changes on local economies and vulnerable populations. Farmers markets often serve as vital sources of fresh produce for SNAP recipients, offering access to locally grown fruits and vegetables that might otherwise be unaffordable. The reduced benefits mean that families have less money to spend on these nutritious foods, affecting both their diets and the livelihoods of local farmers who depend on SNAP sales. The Boston Business Journal has been covering this story extensively.
Massachusetts farmers are starting to see a decline in sales attributed to the recent reduction in federal SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. Businesses operating at farmers markets, particularly around the Boston area, are reporting a significant drop in SNAP transactions, with some experiencing a decrease of as much as 50%.
The downturn comes after a decrease in federal SNAP benefits that took effect following a period of government uncertainty. November 1st marked the one-month point since the start of the federal government shutdown on October 1st, an event that had immediate and cascading effects on various federally funded programs, including SNAP.
According to a recent court filing by Patrick Penn, deputy under secretary of food nutrition and consumer services for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), SNAP recipients in Massachusetts will receive only 65% of their usual benefits for the month. This reduction significantly impacts the purchasing power of low-income individuals and families who rely on SNAP to access fresh, healthy food.
The decision to reduce benefits followed a legal challenge, which resulted in a federal judge ordering the Trump administration to utilize emergency funding for the program on October 31st. While this action provided some temporary relief, it wasn't enough to prevent the subsequent reduction in benefits.
The decrease in SNAP usage at farmers markets highlights the direct impact of federal policy changes on local economies and vulnerable populations. Farmers markets often serve as vital sources of fresh produce for SNAP recipients, offering access to locally grown fruits and vegetables that might otherwise be unaffordable. The reduced benefits mean that families have less money to spend on these nutritious foods, affecting both their diets and the livelihoods of local farmers who depend on SNAP sales. The Boston Business Journal has been covering this story extensively.
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World