An EBT Crisis?

[JustaPewFiller]

I'm not on TikTok, so I haven't seen those.

I work with a local ministry that works with the dis-advantaged, poor, etc. I've not heard anyone say they were going to steal. But, I have heard many people very, very worried. Among them elderly, disabled and what used to be called "the working poor". Now I think the term is "ALICE" (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). ie people that work, often at more than 1 part time job at once. But, still need food assistance. All of these groups are very worried.

Likewise, our own ministry's pantry that we rely on to build food boxes, etc is looking sparse. We are also worried because we don't know where we'll find the food needed. Every local ministry I know is worried for the same reason.

 

[Hentenza]

I think they’re using the term in response to the reduction of shopping choices. Chains dominate most areas. The merger between Kroger and Albertsons was blocked for that reason.

The proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons was blocked by courts in December 2024. Federal and state courts, including those in Oregon and Washington, issued injunctions, citing concerns about reduced competition, potential for higher food prices, and negative impacts on workers. Albertsons officially terminated the merger agreement following these rulings.

~bella

So the system works to keep monopolies from occurring.

 

[bèlla]

So the system works to keep monopolies from occurring.

Not always. There was a lot of pushback when T-Mobile and Sprint wanted to merger but it was approved.

~bella

 

[Hentenza]

Not always. There was a lot of pushback when T-Mobile and Sprint wanted to merger but it was approved.

~bella

Did the approval make them a monopoly?

 

[bèlla]

Now I think the term is "ALICE" (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). ie people that work, often at more than 1 part time job at once. But, still need food assistance. All of these groups are very worried.

That’s because companies hire less full-time employees or cap hours to prevent the same. Which often requires someone to work two part-time jobs to earn what they would with 40 hours.

Likewise, our own ministry's pantry that we rely on to build food boxes, etc is looking sparse. We are also worried because we don't know where we'll find the food needed. Every local ministry I know is worried for the same reason.

Food banks are impacted by the shutdown and other events contributed to the shortage.

Trump canceled 94 million pounds of food aid. Here’s what never arrived.

ProPublica obtained records from the Department of Agriculture that detail the millions of pounds of food that never reached food banks because of the administration’s cuts.

In the spring, the Trump administration abruptly cut $500 million in deliveries from a program that sends U.S.-produced meat, dairy, eggs and produce to food banks and other organizations across the country — about a quarter of the funding the program received in 2024. The items that were delivered through The Emergency Food Assistance Program were some of the healthiest, most expensive items that organizations distribute.

ProPublica obtained records from the Department of Agriculture of each planned delivery in 2025, detailing the millions of pounds of food, down to the number of eggs, that never reached hungry people because of the administration’s cut.

The cancellations began in mid-May, when over 100 orders of 2% milk bound for 31 states were halted. The records show 4,304 canceled deliveries between May and September across the 50 states, Puerto Rico and D.C. All told, the deliveries accounted for nearly 94 million pounds of food. The true loss is likely greater, food banks said, because not all of the year’s deliveries had been scheduled.

~bella

 

[Chesterton]

I think they’re using the term in response to the reduction of shopping choices.

I haven't seen the same videos you've seen, so I don't know.

 

[Chesterton]

P.S. Since people here are virtue signaling about not using TikTok, let me do the same. I've seen them through YouTube compilations and commentary.

 

[Richard T]

Don’t forget Amazon.

Just to help on the idea of monopolies in the grocery sector I offer this.

"Specifically, the top 4 food retailers (CR4) accounted for 31 percent of food sales in 2012 and grew by 3 percentage points to account for 34 percent of total sales in 2019." Source: A Disaggregated View of Market Concentration in the Food Retail Industry

The biggest nationwide is Walmart (including Sam's Club). One source says they have about a fourth of all grocery sales. Next is Kroger, then likely Costco, Albertsons, Aldi and Target. I say likely because some of the data includes non-food items.

A monopoly is a single seller. An example is your electric provider. Most people, not including their own solar or alternative energy have one choice. Many rural consumers have one choice of grocers in the nearest town, but of course they can shop in other towns or buy online. Interestingly, the grocery business is consolidating over the last 20 years or so. In some larger local markets there are companies that dominate ,but no true monopoly exists nationwide. An oligopoly is several concentrated sellers, one might argue this is the case but if so it would be statewide, not national. For instance, in S. Texas HEB (A great grocer by the way) has a 50% market share. So while some regions might have oligopolies, most of America still has a decent amount of competition.

I am sure they stores will either hire more security, get local police protection or close their stores temporarily if there is a free grab n go. I will say too that churches could really do their part and help those in need of emergency food. Kudos to those already with food pantries or assistance.

 

[Hentenza]

Just to help on the idea of monopolies in the grocery sector I offer this.

"Specifically, the top 4 food retailers (CR4) accounted for 31 percent of food sales in 2012 and grew by 3 percentage points to account for 34 percent of total sales in 2019." Source: A Disaggregated View of Market Concentration in the Food Retail Industry

The biggest nationwide is Walmart (including Sam's Club). One source says they have about a fourth of all grocery sales. Next is Kroger, then likely Costco, Albertsons, Aldi and Target. I say likely because some of the data includes non-food items.

A monopoly is a single seller. An example is your electric provider. Most people, not including their own solar or alternative energy have one choice. Many rural consumers have one choice of grocers in the nearest town, but of course they can shop in other towns or buy online. Interestingly, the grocery business is consolidating over the last 20 years or so. In some larger local markets there are companies that dominate ,but no true monopoly exists nationwide. An oligopoly is several concentrated sellers, one might argue this is the case but if so it would be statewide, not national. For instance, in S. Texas HEB (A great grocer by the way) has a 50% market share. So while some regions might have oligopolies, most of America still has a decent amount of competition.

I am sure they stores will either hire more security, get local police protection or close their stores temporarily if there is a free grab n go. I will say too that churches could really do their part and help those in need of emergency food. Kudos to those already with food pantries or assistance.

Love HEB. Not the cheapest but the selection and quality rocks.

 

[bèlla]

I am sure they stores will either hire more security, get local police protection or close their stores temporarily if there is a free grab n go. I will say too that churches could really do their part and help those in need of emergency food. Kudos to those already with food pantries or assistance.

I don’t think we’re at the point where it’s necessary to do so. But if the shutdown dragged on for a few more weeks we could see problems. I think it’s advisable to get what you need in advance and avoid the stores the first week of November if it isn’t resolved.

We used to have a wonderful store that carried international products but they closed. Whole Foods was great before Amazon got involved and we stopped shopping there. The quality isn’t the same and I don’t trust the store brand. Food banks are struggling too and unlikely to have a surplus. That’s why some states are allocating extra money in anticipation of increased demands. Outside of that they’ll have to rely on donations as will the church.

~bella

 

[Chesterton]

For instance, in S. Texas HEB (A great grocer by the way) has a 50% market share.

H.E.B. is the family run chain I mentioned in an earlier post. They also ran out Albertson's, and I might be wrong but maybe Safeway also. But there are still many other places to get groceries than H.E.B. or Walmart.

Plus H.E.B. is a great corporate citizen. They own a fleet of vehicles which, for smaller scale disasters, can do FEMA better than FEMA, at no cost to taxpayers.

 

[Chesterton]

Love HEB. Not the cheapest but the selection and quality rocks.

Who's cheaper? lol

 

[Hentenza]

Who's cheaper? lol

True. Walmart is a bit cheaper but the quality on fresh goods is not very good. Have to always check expiration dates.

 

[bèlla]

True. Walmart is a bit cheaper but the quality on fresh goods is not very good. Have to always check expiration dates.

The video I posted earlier on food mentioned them and said the same. One lady did a comparison between produce prices at the farmers market and Walmart and the former was cheaper. That was equally so for meat when another purchased the same from a butcher.

They’re moving to electronic labels and already use dynamic pricing online which allows them to raise and lower them according to demand. You may want to watch out for that if you’re trying to save money. I included a list of retailers who use it.

Recipes using inexpensive items

Wondering about some inexpensive recipes. Pudding from scratch, egg drop soup, tomato pies, vegetable and bean soups and casseroles. Any suggestions?

www.christianforums.com

~bella

 

[Richard T]

H.E.B. is the family run chain I mentioned in an earlier post. They also ran out Albertson's, and I might be wrong but maybe Safeway also. But there are still many other places to get groceries than H.E.B. or Walmart.

Plus H.E.B. is a great corporate citizen. They own a fleet of vehicles which, for smaller scale disasters, can do FEMA better than FEMA, at no cost to taxpayers.

Yes, unfortunately, I have not lived near any of the HEB stores lately. I remember once when I lived in Texas that they had a new truck giveaway and someone in my church who really needed transportation won it. I read that HEB was founded by a Christian man. I think if they ran out albertson's and safeway it is because they are better managed. Another great store is Winco in the NW. It is all employee owned but its selection and pricing is great.

 

[Hentenza]

The video I posted earlier on food mentioned them and said the same. One lady did a comparison between produce prices at the farmers market and Walmart and the former was cheaper. That was equally so for meat when another purchased the same from a butcher.

They’re moving to electronic labels and already use dynamic pricing online which allows them to raise and lower them according to demand. You may want to watch out for that if you’re trying to save money. I included a list of retailers who use it.

Recipes using inexpensive items

Wondering about some inexpensive recipes. Pudding from scratch, egg drop soup, tomato pies, vegetable and bean soups and casseroles. Any suggestions?

www.christianforums.com

~bella

Thanks for the info. My Walmart still uses the standard labels but I‘ll be watching. We no longer buy fresh goods from walmart and only buy canned goods, cleaners, toiletries, and such from them.

 

[Chesterton]

I read that HEB was founded by a Christian man. I think if they ran out albertson's and safeway it is because they are better managed.

The HEB story is very interesting, they've always been innovative. There's a good video about it from the Fat Electrician, but too much profanity to post here. Yes they are well managed. Like if you don't know where something is, I've never interacted with an employee who wasn't very helpful and friendly. Plus Texans feel loyalty to it because it's a Texas thang.

 

[Chesterton]

They’re moving to electronic labels and already use dynamic pricing online which allows them to raise and lower them according to demand.

I've heard of that. Can you tell electronic labels by looking at them?

 

[Hentenza]

The HEB story is very interesting, they've always been innovative. There's a good video about it from the Fat Electrician, but too much profanity to post here. Yes they are well managed. Like if you don't know where something is, I've never interacted with an employee who wasn't very helpful and friendly. Plus Texans feel loyalty to it because it's a Texas thang.

Plus they use Texas team players in their commercials particularly from the Astros.

 

[bèlla]

I've heard of that. Can you tell electronic labels by looking at them?

There appears to be a white border around them.

~bella