Grocers across the U.S. are concerned they will no longer be able to provide exact change for cash-paying customers after the U.S. Mint stopped producing new pennies in August.

While many shops plan to round to the nearest 5-cent increment, the grocery industry is worried such a move would violate U.S. law.

Grocery stores that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits must charge the same amount for customers using SNAP as for those paying with cash. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, grocers said they are seeking guidance on how to stay in compliance with the law if they have to round cash transactions to the nearest nickel.

"This permanent disruption in inventory of the 1-cent coin is beginning to cause a cascade of negative events in stores across th

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