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Mamdani unveils affordable grocery plan for NYC
Five municipal grocery stores aim to lower food costs across New York City's boroughs.
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Ankita Baidya - Tue, 28, Jul 2026
- 05:16 EDT
- 21
Mayor Zohran Mamdani says city-owned grocery stores will offer essential food items at reduced prices. / X/@NYCMayor
In a statement, the Mayor's Office said the discount would apply to a "core basket" of everyday groceries, including eggs, milk, chicken, fresh produce, meat, seafood and about 20 additional categories of pantry staples, dairy and refrigerated goods.
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Announcing the proposal on X, Mamdani said, "In the wealthiest city in the richest country in the world, no one should have to wonder how they'll afford the food they need to feed themselves or their families."
According to City Hall, the reduced prices are expected to save New Yorkers an average of $90 a month, or roughly $1,000 annually. The discounts would be available to all residents regardless of income, with the city promising stable pricing rather than the week-to-week fluctuations common in private supermarkets.
Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su said the administration is "building a grocery store model that puts affordability first, with a 30 percent discount on essential foods and quality jobs for the people who run these stores."
The city has issued a request for proposals seeking operators to manage the municipal grocery stores. According to the Mayor's Office, the first location is expected to open in the Bronx by the end of 2027, followed by a second store in East Harlem. Locations for stores in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island have yet to be finalized, with all five expected to be operating by 2029.
To support the initiative, New York City has allocated $70 million in capital funding for construction and preparation of the stores. Jeanny Pak, interim president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation, said the city also plans to establish a single public brand for the municipal grocery network.
The proposal fulfills a key campaign pledge by Mamdani, who promised to establish one city-owned grocery store in each borough as part of a broader affordability agenda focused on reducing the cost of living for New Yorkers.
Supporters of the plan argue that publicly backed grocery stores could improve access to affordable, nutritious food in underserved neighborhoods while easing pressure from rising grocery prices. The administration says the stores are intended to complement existing food access programs and provide predictable pricing on staple items.
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