{"id":364734,"date":"2026-06-17T21:12:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T21:12:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/364734\/"},"modified":"2026-06-17T21:12:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T21:12:16","slug":"san-francisco-plots-mamdani-style-state-backed-grocery-stores-zombie-chains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/364734\/","title":{"rendered":"San Francisco plots Mamdani-style state-backed grocery stores: \u2018Zombie chains\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

San Francisco voters could soon be asked to bankroll government-backed grocery stores and crack down<\/a> on so-called “zombie” retailers under a pair of proposals that echo New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s controversial food affordability plan.<\/p>\n

Supervisor Bilal Mahmood is expected to unveil two ballot measures for November that would create a fund to support grocery stores and impose taxes on chain corporations that leave grocery stores and pharmacies vacant, The San Francisco Standard<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco voters could soon be asked to bankroll government-backed grocery stores and crack down on so-called “zombie” retailers under a pair of proposals that echo New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s. Anadolu via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The measures come as San Francisco continues to struggle with grocery store and pharmacy closures, leaving some neighborhoods without easy access to fresh food and essential goods.<\/p>\n

Grocery prices have also risen amid the city’s broader affordability challenges.<\/p>\n

One proposal would establish a fund that could receive both city dollars and private philanthropic contributions to help keep grocery prices affordable. Mahmood’s plan goes beyond simply subsidizing stores.<\/p>\n

The fund could also help corner stores convert into full-service grocery markets with fresh food and allow the city to purchase vacant buildings and lease them at below-market rates to grocers willing to keep prices low.<\/p>\n

The second ballot measure would target “zombie stores” by taxing chain corporations that intentionally leave grocery stores and pharmacies vacant.<\/p>\n

\"Supervisor<\/p>\n

Supervisor Bilal Mahmood is expected to unveil two ballot measures for November that would create a fund to support grocery stores and impose taxes on chain corporations. Shutterstock \/ Sheila Fitzgerald<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The proposal mirrors elements of a grocery-store plan Mamdani has been promoting in New York. Matthew McDermott for NY Post<\/p>\n

“Everyone deserves access to fresh food, prescription medications, and everyday essentials close to home,” Mahmood said, according to the outlet.<\/p>\n

The proposal mirrors elements of a grocery-store plan Mamdani has been promoting in New York. The effort has drawn criticism from skeptics who question whether a relatively small number of publicly supported stores can make a meaningful dent in food costs across a major city.<\/p>\n

The proposal is already drawing questions from business groups.<\/p>\n

“Everyone agrees San Francisco needs more grocery stores and pharmacies,” Chris Wright, senior vice president of Advance SF, told SF Standard.<\/p>\n

“The question is about whether a new tax will bring them back, or whether we should focus more on addressing the underlying reasons those businesses left in the first place.”<\/p>\n

Others have questioned whether the plan would reach the people it is intended to help.<\/p>\n

\"Supporters<\/p>\n

Supporters counter that the measures could improve food access while creating jobs. Matthew McDermott for NY Post<\/p>\n

Enrico Moretti, an economics professor at UC Berkeley, noted that many low-income residents already receive assistance through CalFresh, California’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).<\/p>\n

“The population this proposal seeks to help is already largely covered by food assistance programs,” Moretti said.<\/p>\n

He also argued that a city-backed grocery store program would likely be open to all residents, including those who do not face food insecurity.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, San Francisco’s first-ever government-funded free grocery store \u2014 District 10 Market \u2014 opened in 2024 to help low-income residents living in San Francisco’s District 10 neighborhoods.<\/p>\n

The market also operates as a community connector of services for low-income families, according to their website.<\/p>\n

Supporters believe that the measures could improve food access while creating jobs.<\/p>\n

“San Francisco has an opportunity to bring affordable groceries back to neighborhoods and create good-paying, union jobs for communities,” said Ademola Oyefeso, an international vice president with the United Food and Commercial Workers, a labor group that advised on New York City’s policy.<\/p>\n

The price tag for the proposal remains unclear. Mahmood said a report from the city controller is expected soon and estimated the tax could generate several million dollars in revenue each year.<\/p>\n

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