Using food stamps can help the economy through federal stimulus funds. Food stores that honor Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits earn millions in food stamp sales. While large groceries still have most of the food stamp purchases, convenience stores and small food businesses also get a boost in income from food stamps.
Biggest earners
Walmart stores remain the top earner in food stamp sales. In Oklahoma, most of the $1.2 billion in food stamp purchases went to the supermarket chain, with earnings of $506 million from 2009 to 2011. People often prefer to shop at Walmart for bulk purchases even when they live close to local groceries. Walmart’s reasonable and fixed prices attract many food stamp recipients. Warehouse Markets in Tulsa County also receive a large portion of food stamp purchases with $64 million.
Those who are unable to go to groceries settle for local convenience stores. Even in rural Oklahoman counties, local store Marvin’s Foods gets as much as $15.8 million in food stamp sales and Harp’s Food gets $9.3 million.
Convenience store chains replace groceries as the nearest go-to in shopping essentials, stocking up on staple food like bread, milk and butter. 7-11 stores earn up to $12.7 million, and QuikTrip earning $10 million in food stamp purchases.
Use your SNAP benefits
Using food stamps generates income for stores and stimulates the local economy. At the same time, not making use of benefits you’re qualified for can cost your state millions in potential federal money.
Sign up on the box at the right to apply for SNAP benefits and to find participating stores.
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