MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (KCRG) - While many independent grocery stores across the country reported major financial hits during the government shutdown and the pause on SNAP benefits, one locally owned store in eastern Iowa says the effects look different for them.

At Gary’s Foods in Mount Vernon, foot traffic hasn’t changed much. But owners say that doesn’t tell the full story of how the shutdown is affecting families who rely on food assistance.

“We had seen some of it, but our store, being the demographics in Mount Vernon, are not that dependent on SNAP business,” owner Dennis Dietrich said.

The National Grocers Association says many small, locally owned stores rely even more heavily on those dollars — and some reported major drops in sales during the shutdown.

But at Gary’s, general mana

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