SNAP TRIP TRACKER
How are SNAP shopping trips changing over time?
Numerator’s SNAP Trip Tracker looks at longitudinal trends in SNAP & WIC usage, and showcases how the frequency, composition and location of these SNAP shopping trips have changed over time. How does a grocery trip where SNAP benefits are used differ from the average grocery trip, how has the overall prevalence of these trips changed over the past few years, and how have category and channel choices shifted for SNAP trips since the end of the Emergency Allotment program?
High Level SNAP Trip Tracking
In July 2024, 4.5% of all FMCG grocery trips utilized SNAP benefits, up from 4.3% last July, but on par with the 12-month average of 4.5%.
How do SNAP trips differ from the average grocery trip?
Grocery trips where SNAP benefits are used tend to be larger than non-SNAP trips, both in overall spend (+$10) and in units purchased (+3). Since the end of the Emergency Allotment program last spring, SNAP baskets have begun to shrink, though still remain larger than the average grocery basket. The average spend per unit on SNAP trips has also fallen below the average grocery trip since the end of the EAP.
High Level SNAP Trip Tracking
As they pull back on grocery units, SNAP shoppers are disproportionately dropping select categories like breakfast and bakery. Each of these categories were purchased on a smaller portion of SNAP trips this year versus last. Conversely, more SNAP/WIC trips contain beans & grains and produce this year versus last.
SNAP Trip Channel Shifts
Traditional grocers capture over two-fifths of in-store SNAP grocery trips and have increased their share of trips this year versus last. In the past three months, shoppers have pulled back on SNAP usage at dollar, drug and gas & convenience channels and increased usage at food and club.
Visit our SNAP Insights Hub to learn more.
Numerator’s SNAP Insights Center brings together our latest research on shopping trips where SNAP / WIC benefits are leveraged and the households using these programs.