Save Mart has rolled out major discounts just as food aid is suspended by the federal shutdown.
The Modesto-based chain announced the moves Thursday, two days before the benefits are set to lapse. It has 191 stores in Northern California and Nevada under the Save Mart, Food Maxx and Lucky banners.
The main federal program in the state is CalFresh and serves about 93,000 people in Stanislaus County alone. The shutdown began Oct. 1 amid disagreement in Congress over health care funding. CalFresh had enough money to load clients’ EBT cards through October.
A news release said the discounts will add shoppers “who are struggling with inflation, rising food costs and changes to food assistance programs.”…