ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - With the implementation of tariffs on Canadian, Mexican, and Chinese goods, consumers can expect to see the price of some goods increase even more.

When shopping with food stamps or just trying to stick to a budget, experts advise buying foods with a stable shelf life.

Rice, pasta, and grains are long-lasting carbohydrates. Fresh meat can be pricey, so items like peanut butter, nuts, beans, and lentils are a great source of protein. Canned or frozen fruits and vegetables are also a cheaper alternative to fresh.

“It’s nice if you can, of course, convenience is an issue for a lot of people, but if you can spend your SNAP benefits on those bulk items. Dry goods, canned goods, things like that. Then I would say, try to eliminate food waste and stretch your dollar maybe weekly go in and get the fresh fruits and veggies. Of course, frozen veggies and fruits are great as well,” said Valkyrie Anderson, Executive Director of Houston County Family Connection.

With the implementation of tariffs on goods from China, Canada, and Mexico, a normal trip to the grocery store will end up costing more. Coffee, fruit, dairy, fish, cereal, and sugar are just some of the goods that will be impacted.

Experts say when choosing which store to shop at, make sure you are using the stores' reward systems.

“Not to push any particular store, but just personally, I shop at Kroger. Then I turn around and get those fuel points. Those are definitely helpful right now. If you shop with food stamps at Kroger, you can still put in your Kroger personal ID and get those fuel points to add up and get money off your gas,” continued Anderson.

Supporting local farmers and small businesses can help your local economy. There is a program called “Wholesome Wave of Georgia” that works with many farmers markets across the state to make it possible for families to purchase fresh goods using SNAP.

“Because you know, usually you go to the farmers market, and it ends up being more expensive. But with these programs like Wholesome Wave of Georgia, you can shop locally and support local farmers because in the end, you aren’t spending more than you would at the grocery store,” said Anderson.

Applying for SNAP benefits is straightforward and extremely beneficial for those who could use financial assistance.

To see if you qualify for SNAP, click here.

To sign up for SNAP, click here.

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