Madison, WI – May 23, 2025 – The Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) today thanked federal lawmakers in the House for taking a bold step by making permanent tax relief a reality for small businesses. Alongside that gratitude, WGA is sounding the alarm over deep cuts to FoodShare, Wisconsin’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), included in the recently passed federal budget bill.
“Tax reform is a big win for local businesses like our members—and we thank the Administration and policymakers for recognizing grocery stores/small businesses are the backbone of the American economy,” said Mike Semmann, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association. “But let’s be clear: while some will take the tax benefits and move on, Wisconsin’s grocers and economic stakeholders will be the ones left to safeguard our communities when FoodShare dollars disappear.”
FoodShare is more than a nutrition program—it’s a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites and a vital part of local retail food economies. The program helps make it financially viable for grocers and small retailers to maintain brick-and-mortar stores, ensuring access to fresh food in areas where few other sources exist.
The budget’s proposed FoodShare reductions would shift responsibilities from Washington to Wisconsin, and ultimately to local grocers, small businesses, food banks, and other charities—many of which are already stretched thin.
“Grocers will always step up—we always have,” Semmann added. “But we can’t do it alone, and some grocery stores shouldn’t have to pick between keeping their doors open and feeding their neighbors. Without additional support, some local grocery stores may not make it through.”
WGA urges Wisconsin’s leaders at every level—government, business, and community—to work together to protect food access and keep families strong.
SNAP/FoodShare Notes:
- SNAP/FoodShare was created to provide critical food security to Americans facing hardship. We appreciate President Trump and his administration, along with the commitment Congress is making to create a stronger and more efficient SNAP program for those who need it.
- Americans understand the importance of SNAP. According to a recent FMI national survey, not only do 70% of American voters hold a favorable opinion of SNAP, but 59% are opposed to reducing SNAP/FoodShare benefits.
- SNAP/FoodShare is a win-win-win. SNAP positively impacts local farmers, food producers and retailers while stimulating local economies and providing temporary food security to seniors, the disabled, and families with young children.
- SNAP/FoodShare touches households in every community in every state across the country and is a program that families turn to when they need temporary support.
The Wisconsin Grocers Association represents nearly 500 independent grocers, retail grocery chain stores, warehouses and distributors, convenience stores, food brokers and suppliers. Wisconsin grocers employ over 30,000 people with over $1 billion in payroll and generate more than $12 billion in annual sales in Wisconsin resulting in approximately $800 million in state sales tax revenue. (Data provided by The Food Institute).
