It was a first for Simon Zychowicz.

The third-generation manager of Stanley’s Market in Toledo’s Old North End had never seen a morning when no customers purchased groceries with funds provided by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Until recently, that is.

But in the wake of the federal government shutdown, questions about whether and how the program will be funded have caused Stanley’s SNAP sales to decline by more than 50 percent.

“SNAP sales are a big part of our business,” Mr. Zychowicz said.

The market he manages is unique in its proud emphasis on Polish cuisine, but the stressors it faces are similar to those experienced by other neighborhood grocery and convenience stores — the places that many people depend upon to stock their pantries and refrigerators.

As uncert

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