Potatoes, onions, lettuce, grapes and salad mix are among more than a dozen grocery staples Wegmans Food Markets is offering with lower prices following the government shutdown.
The price cuts, announced Feb. 16, last through March 2 – when the next round of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds are expected to start releasing to recipients.
Danny Wegman, chairman of the Rochester, NY-based grocer, said community organizations asked for help for consumers struggling to make ends meet.
“One of our local United Way partners let us know there are still people dealing with the consequences of the recent government shutdown,” Wegman said, in a statement. “They asked if we could help. In particular, they called out the fact that February SNAP benefits were paid in advance and that this timing created a challenge in February for some recipients.”
“The most direct way for us to help is by lowering prices for all customers beginning Saturday February 16 through Saturday, March 2 on the items that will make nutritious meals at a truly affordable cost,” Wegman said.
The produce listed in the price cut included:
- 5-pound white potatoes for $1.50;
- 2-pound yellow onions for 99 cents;
- Iceberg lettuce (each) for 79 cents;
- 5 to 10-ounce private label salad blends for $1.50; and
- Red seedless grapes for $1.99 per pound.
