Local residents respond to Tennessee food tax holiday
Throughout August, Tennesseans will not have to pay state tax on food, food ingredients
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Inflated grocery bills have stretched families’ budgets thin throughout the nation in 2022.
However, throughout August, Tennessee is looking to provide its residents with some much-needed relief — holding a state-wide sales tax holiday on food and food ingredients.
“It’s really exciting that the state of Tennessee is eliminating [the] tax on grocery items,” said Food City District Manager Katie Penny. “It’s great timing with kids going back to school, really important for people to be able to save money out there.”
Heather Herweyer is one of many locals behind Rossville, Georgia’s, BLVD Project open-air markets, which house several local food vendors.
She knows first-hand the cost it takes to feed a family and believes the nearby tax holiday can only help those finding it harder to put bread on the table.
“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Herweyer said. “I think it’ll be a great resource for a lot of families in our community. We’ve seen an increase in rent prices, we’ve seen an increase in gas prices, and then also an increase in food prices. I know that, especially if you have multiple kids in the household, you’re always looking to find the best deals out there.”
Excluding alcoholic beverages, tobacco, candy, dietary supplements, and prepared food, residents of the Volunteer State are being given the opportunity to save as the summer comes to a close.
Penny says the tax break may even benefit residents heading into fall.
“Buy some extra meat this month [and] put it in your freezer,” Penny said. “There [are] so many ways that you can take advantage of this benefit this month and have it stretch over for the months to come. The meat department, I think, is a big win for folks.”
Any food and ingredients purchased in a vending machine or from a micro market, however, remain subject to sales tax.
The tax holiday ends on Wednesday, August 31.
