Businesses face possible coin shortages as Fed rations quarters

Kansas City-area businesses are facing a shortage of coins, the Kansas City Star reports.

The Federal Reserve has started rationing quarters, meaning businesses will only receive a portion of their orders.

The shortage is due to disruptions in the coin supply chain caused by COVID-19. This could pose a problem if businesses are unable to give customers change when they pay. Retail stores are expected to be the most impacted.

Mike Beal, an executive with Kansas City-based supermarket operator Ball Foods, said the company will only receive 3% of its usual order of quarters.

Pennies are expected to be the next coin with a supply shortage as reopenings across the country may exacerbate the issue.