Michigan residents in a federal food program are being denied purchases with their debit-style cards because of technical problems.
Dave Akerly, a spokesman for the state Department of Human Services, says it's a problem Saturday between retailers and Xerox, the company that provides high-tech services. The glitch extends beyond Michigan to at least 16 other states.
The federal program is commonly known as food stamps, although transactions are performed electronically in Michigan with a card called the Bridge Card. Xerox is telling retailers to record sales by hand if possible.
At Metro Foodland in Detroit, manager Charlonda Love says the store has been empty because most customers use the card.
