From The Campaign Against Hunger distribution center in East New York, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday launched a new initiative to reduce the cost of food for New Yorkers. The plan includes offering a 30% discount on a basket of essential products that will be sold in future municipally owned supermarkets.
Accompanied by city officials, union leaders and food access advocates, Mamdani assured that the proposal seeks to alleviate the impact of rising food prices, which, he said, has increased economic pressure on families in the five boroughs.
President and CEO of The Campaign Against Hunger, Dr. Melony Samuels, celebrated the announcement by highlighting the organization’s daily work serving residents who face difficulties purchasing food.
“As many know, from this center in East New York we serve thousands of families,” Samuels said. “We know firsthand the needs of our community and we know, from experience, that many families struggle every day to put food on the table.”
“When they get to the supermarket, the high cost of food makes feeding their families a very difficult task,” he added. “That’s why we’re here today.”
During his speech, Mamdani took the number 30 as his axis, recalling the 30-cent fare that the subway cost in 1970 to local athletes who wore that number on their uniforms. He then linked that figure to the increase in food prices.
“Since 2019, food prices in supermarkets across the country have increased by approximately 30%,” he said. “You only have to talk to any shopper in town to hear the same concern: Wages haven’t grown at the same rate as the cost of living.”
The mayor also criticized what he called “surveillance pricing,” a practice through which, he said, some companies collect consumer data to charge different prices for the same product.
“There will be no exceptions or misleading promotions,” he assured. “The discount will be available throughout the month, with no weekly price changes or unpleasant surprises at the checkout.”
According to the municipal administration, the program would allow households to save about $90 a month, which represents more than $1,000 a year.
“A 30% discount translates into real savings for New Yorkers,” Mamdani said. “We are talking about around $90 less on the monthly supermarket bill, that is, more than a thousand dollars a year.”
Following the announcement, the mayor explained to our sister publication, Brooklyn Paper, that the benefit will be applied to a basic basket of essential products designed to facilitate access to a healthier diet.
“We have announced a 30% discount on a basket of basic products,” he said. “Includes essential items for those who want to live a healthier life in New York City.”
Among the products included, he mentioned fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, seafood, milk, eggs, pasta and other everyday foods that, he said, have become increasingly difficult for many families to afford.
Mamdani indicated that New Yorkers will begin to benefit from the program when the first municipal supermarket opens, which is scheduled to open in late 2027.
“We are going to open five city-run supermarkets before the end of 2029. The first will open late next year at The Peninsula in Hunt’s Point in the Bronx,” he told the Brooklyn Paper.
The mayor also announced the issuance of a request for proposals (RFP) to select private operators to manage the daily operations of these establishments, while the city will maintain overall supervision of the project.
“Our vision of well-managed, affordable municipal supermarkets will only be possible with experienced operators who know how to stock products, keep shelves stocked and provide good service to customers,” he said. “That is why today we issued an RFP to hire private operators to support us in the daily management of these five stores.”
The administration reported that interested operators will be able to submit their proposals through the city’s official contracting process.
To close the announcement, Mamdani drew a parallel with former mayor Fiorello La Guardia, who promoted municipal markets after witnessing riots caused by rising food prices at the beginning of the 20th century.
“He did it because he believed in a simple idea about the role of government: to improve people’s lives,” he said. “Today we are one step closer to fulfilling that responsibility.”
The proposal comes as New York City continues to face high food prices and growing concerns about food insecurity, especially in communities like East New York, where organizations like The Campaign Against Hunger report sustained demand for emergency food assistance.
The mayor concluded by emphasizing that the objective of the project is not only to open new supermarkets, but to offer permanent economic relief to working families.
“For us, success means New Yorkers having more money in their pockets without sacrificing the amount of food they put on their table,” he concluded.
