Rapid City, S.D. – Founded in 1905 by Gus Francis, Buche Foods has grown into a fourth-generation, family-owned grocery chain built on integrity and community support. “Gus had his store count up to about seventeen or eighteen stores until the Depression hit,” said R.F. Buche, current owner of Buche Foods. “He lost all but three of them, but he paid every invoice on time. That’s the integrity I’ve grown up with.”
That same spirit of responsibility guides Buche’s commitment to philanthropy. As Buche Foods celebrates its 120th anniversary, R.F. Buche said his goal remains clear: “I want to be profitable so I can give more away. It’s extremely important to me that we make a difference in this world.”
Buche recently authored an opinion piece addressing the nationwide halt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, effective November 1. The suspension will affect 42 million Americans—including more than 70,000 South Dakotans—and poses serious concerns for rural and tribal communities. “Hunger is being used as a bargaining chip,” Buche said. “These are people’s lives. They need to eat. It’s the most basic need there is.”
Buche emphasized that food insecurity in places like Pine Ridge and Lower Brule is not about “poor choices,” but about “barriers built into geography and economy—long distances, limited transportation, fewer jobs.”
In response, Buche Foods and its nonprofit Team Buche Cares have launched an Emergency SNAP Relief initiative. “If SNAP funds are not available, we’re going to give each SNAP household one hundred dollars’ worth of grocery certificates,” Buche said.
As for what others can do, Buche noted “I’m hoping others will join us in getting food to rural and tribal communities.” He encouraged both individuals and businesses to support local food pantries and to donate directly to organizations with no administrative fees to further the impact of donated funds. “When you give me a hundred dollars, I need to look you in the eye and say that went to food,” he said.
While the SNAP freeze will also affect rural grocers, Buche said his focus remains on people first. “We’re going to do everything we can to protect jobs through this,” he said. “Local grocery stores are the backbone of these communities. Taking away SNAP will devastate our customers—and it will ripple through the entire economy.”For more information on Buche Foods or Team Buche Cares, visit buchefoods.com or teambuchecares.org.