About 175,000 Arizona residents lost their SNAP spending, which lowers the purchasing power at grocery stores.Shutterstock
Grocery workers in Arizona are struggling more than in any other state, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Grocery and convenience stores lost more than 2% of their jobs during the first quarter of 2026 compared with a nationwide decrease of about 0.5%, according to federal employment and wage data. Wages in Arizona dropped 3% compared to less than 1% nationwide.
Economists are saying the reduction in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits might have led to the sobering numbers for the state. About 175,000 residents lost their SNAP spending, which lowers the purchasing power at grocery stores.
Data shows the hardest hit counties in the state were the smallest. Grocery employment in Santa Cruz County fell around 19% and in Graham County the loss was 13%. Maricopa suffered the largest decline.
More than 5.3 million fewer people receive SNAP benefits, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Alaska was the only state that did not record SNAP reductions. In fact, benefits increased 8.2% ...