The Associated Press reports that “members of the Armed Forces will still be paid in the partial government shutdown, but their food bills could soar if Washington’s political brinksmanship drags on.”

“Commissaries in the U.S. where military families can buy inexpensive groceries tax-free are shutting doors Wednesday due to the shutdown. And that could create a financial hardship for those who depend on the stores’ steeply discounted prices to make ends meet — particularly young service members with families to feed or retired veterans on fixed incomes.”

“About 12 million people — including military personnel, retirees and their families — are eligible to shop at the 246 commissaries on military installations worldwide. The commissaries typically carry everything a national supermarket chain would — including brand-name products — but at much lower prices than their commercial competitors.”