It’s unclear when November benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, will begin showing up in accounts. And beneficiaries aren’t the only ones having a hard time with the delays and lack of predictability.

The ordeal is also putting strain on local grocers — especially those in underserved areas.

SNAP serves about 1 in 10 Tennesseans, but they’re not spread out evenly. In struggling rural counties, it’s closer to 1 in 5. And in urban areas, low-income neighborhoods tend to have too few grocery stores.

“There are some stores in Tennessee that have 70% SNAP customers, and their business will definitely be affected,” said Rob Ikard, the president and CEO of the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association.

He said their woes won’t disappear when the s

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