Recent reductions in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have led to a drop in sales at New York City bodegas, endangering the financial stability of these neighborhood retailers.
City health officials say the lower assistance diminishes the buying power of low‑income shoppers, resulting in fewer purchases at the stores.
Bodegas serve as essential food outlets in parts of the city that lack larger supermarkets, so the decline in sales raises concerns about local food access.