The shutdown is affecting those who rely on SNAP. But those who don’t are struggling with rising food costs as well

Much focus has been placed on how the government shutdown is affecting people who rely on food stamps, but there are also people who are not on food stamps who are finding it harder to purchase groceries because of the current higher costs of food.

News4JAX visited three different grocery store chains in Jacksonville to see exactly how much basic items like meat and produce cost. Shoppers who spoke with us, like Natalie Hamlett, Masie Negahsh, and Rick Omesol, say they are spending more money on groceries these days.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: City releases data on SNAP delay effect on local businesses, households | A Florida senior gets about $2 a day in SNAP benefits. If it expires, she says she won’t have food next month

“A much bigger percentage of our income is going to groceries, and we g