NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani proposes city-run grocery stores

Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani, a candidate in the New York City mayoral primary, has put forth a plan to establish a chain of city-owned grocery stores. The initiative aims to combat rising food prices, which are approximately 20% higher than pre-pandemic levels, and address food insecurity, with 25% of New Yorkers currently living in poverty.

Mamdani's proposal centers on reducing overhead by eliminating costs such as rent and property taxes, with the intention of passing these savings directly to consumers by selling at wholesale prices. He plans to collaborate with local communities on product selection and sourcing.

Billionaire grocery magnate John Catsimatidis, owner of the Food Emporium and Gristedes chains, has expressed interest in the concept. He stated he would be willing to donate a store for Mamdani's project if he wins the election, but only under the condition that the city covers any financial shortfalls resulting from shoplifting.

While Mamdani's plan is designed to resonate with voters facing high food costs, similar initiatives in other parts of the country have yielded mixed results. A town-owned store in Baldwin, Florida, closed last year, struggling against national chains. Another in Erie, Kansas, leased its operations to a private company.

However, the context in New York City differs from rural areas. Mamdani's proposal for a chain of stores could provide a competitive advantage in supplier negotiations, unlike single stores in smaller towns. A feasibility study in Chicago found a public grocery store to be necessary, feasible, and implementable, and a Vanderbilt University study in 2024 concluded that government-owned grocery stores are a workable approach to addressing food insecurity.