Grocery workers in Arizona are struggling more than in any other state, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Grocery and convenience stores lost more than 2% of their jobs during the first quarter of 2026 compared with a nationwide decrease of about 0.5%, according to federal employment and wage data. Wages in Arizona dropped 3% compared to less than 1% nationwide.
Economists are saying the reduction in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits might have led to the sobering numbers for the state. About 175,000 residents lost their SNAP spending, which lowers the purchasing power at grocery stores.
Data shows the hardest hit counties in the state were the smallest. Grocery employment in Santa Cruz County fell around 19% and in Graham County the loss was 13%. Maricopa suffered the largest decline.
More than 5.3 million fewer people receive SNAP benefits, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Alaska was the only state that did not record SNAP reductions. In fact, benefits increased 8.2% compared with last year. Arizona residents took the biggest hit with a decrease of 54.8%. Florida, Georgia and Louisiana saw their SNAP benefits drop more than 20%.
The grocery industry is struggling because of the change in SNAP requirements.
Seven Save A Lot stores in Chicago closed in July, and SNAP was primarily to blame.
During its earnings call last week, Ahold Delhaize said cuts to SNAP reduced the company’s U.S. sales growth in the second quarter and will have an ongoing impact through 2026. The company reported U.S. comparable-store sales gains of 0.8% for the second quarter and net sales gains of 1.4% to about $15 billion at constant exchange rates.
The reduction in SNAP benefits cut sales growth by 40 basis points in the quarter and will have an impact of between 60 and 80 basis points for the full year, the company said.
SNAP sales account for about 5.3% of Ahold Delhaize’s total U.S. sales, the company said.
A poll conducted by Newsweek in August showed voters on both sides of the political spectrum wanted to see SNAP benefits increase for single mothers and those who live alone.
Surveys from 11 states and 28 competitive congressional districts revealed most Democrats and Republicans want more SNAP benefits for people living alone. Those people currently receive $170 per month on average. A majority of Democratic voters also supported more help for single mothers.
Voters disagreed on how much the increase should be for those living alone. The median Democrat supported $250, while the median Republican preferred $200. Democrats favored an average of $600 for single mothers, while Republicans chose $554. The current average is $530 a month.
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