Mamdani Pushes 5 City-Run Grocery Stores With $70 Million Budget as Critics Warn of Bodega Harm
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 12
Mamdani Pushes 5 City-Run Grocery Stores With $70 Million Budget as Critics Warn of Bodega Harm
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 12
Summary
$70 million is earmarked for five city-run grocery stores across New York City, with the first planned for Hunts Point in late 2027 and all sites targeted before 2030.
Mamdani says the stores will cut prices 30% on a core basket of groceries to address food costs, while the city seeks private operators and plans to cover rent and property taxes.
John Catsimatidis, CEO of Gristedes, says those subsidies would undercut bodegas and supermarkets already operating on 1% to 3% margins, arguing the stores would be more public relations than hunger relief.
He also points to congestion pricing, electricity costs and online competition as pressures on local grocers, and proposes tax credits for existing stores to lower prices instead.
Supporters say the need is broad: CUNY's Urban Food Policy Institute estimates 1.4 million New Yorkers are food insecure and about 20% rely on SNAP or other food aid.