Standing inside The Campaign Against Hunger’s East New York distribution hub, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled a new initiative Monday aimed at reducing grocery costs for New Yorkers, announcing plans to offer a 30% discount on a core set of products sold at the city’s future municipally owned grocery stores.
Joined by city officials, labor leaders and food access advocates, Mamdani said the proposal is intended to address the rising cost of food, which he said has placed an increasing financial burden on families across the five boroughs.
The Campaign Against Hunger CEO and President Dr. Melony Samuels welcomed the announcement by highlighting the organization’s daily work serving residents struggling to afford food.
“As many of you know, we serve thousands of families right here from this place, from our East New York hub,” Samuels said. “Understanding what is needed in our community, and not only that, we know that personally, from our experience, that many families struggle to put food on their table.”
“And when they go into a supermarket, because of the cost of food, it is very difficult for them to feed their family,” she continued. “And this is why we’re here today.”
Mamdani framed the announcement around the significance of the number 30, pointing to everything from the former 30-cent subway fare in 1970 to local athletes who have worn the number. He then connected it to what he described as the sharp increase in grocery prices nationwide.
“Since 2019, food prices have soared in grocery stores around the country by roughly 30%,” Mamdani said. “Talk to shoppers around the city and you’ll often hear the same frustration. Wages have not kept up.”
He also criticized what he described as “surveillance pricing,” saying some corporations collect customer data to charge different prices for identical products.
“There are no exceptions, no gimmicks,” Mamdani said. “The savings will last for the entire month. That means no weekly fluctuations nor sticker shock at the checkout line.”
According to the administration, the discount could save households an estimated $90 per month, or more than $1,000 annually.
“Thirty percent off adds up to real money for New Yorkers, with an estimated ninety dollars saved on grocery bills each month,” Mamdani said. “That is more than a thousand dollars saved every year.”
After announcing the discount, Mamdani told Brooklyn Paper the program will apply to a “core basket” of essential grocery items designed to help families afford healthier food.
“We have announced that there’s going to be a 30% discount on a core basket of goods, as you can see right here,” Mamdani said. “This is going to be the kinds of goods that are critical for New Yorkers who are looking to live a healthier life in New York City.”
“We’re talking about all fresh produce, meat, seafood, milk, eggs, pasta and so many of the things that New Yorkers rely on. And yet so many of the same things that New Yorkers are also worried about being priced out of.”
The mayor said New Yorkers will begin seeing the benefits once the first city-run grocery store opens, which the administration expects by the end of 2027.
“We are going to open five city-run grocery stores by the end of 2029. The first one is going to be open by the end of next year, which will be the Peninsula in Hunt’s Point in the Bronx,” Mamdani told Brooklyn Paper.
He also announced the city is issuing a request for proposals (RFP) seeking private operators to manage the day-to-day operations of the planned grocery stores while the city oversees the broader initiative.
“Our vision of affordable, well-run, city-owned grocery stores can only be accomplished with experienced operators who know how to source products, stock the shelves and help answer shopper questions,” Mamdani said. “So today, we are also issuing an RFP for private operators to help us with the day-to-day management of our five city-run grocery stores.”
The administration said interested grocery operators can apply through the city’s procurement process.
Mamdani closed the announcement by drawing a historical parallel to former Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, who supported municipally owned markets after witnessing food riots sparked by soaring prices in the early 20th century.
“He did so because he believed in a simple definition of the task of government: to make people’s lives better,” Mamdani said. “Today, we are one step closer to fulfilling that fundamental responsibility.”
The proposal comes as New York City continues to grapple with high food prices and growing concerns over food insecurity, particularly in neighborhoods such as East New York where community organizations like The Campaign Against Hunger have reported sustained demand for emergency food assistance.
The mayor said the city’s goal is not simply to open grocery stores, but to ensure they provide lasting financial relief for working families.
“To us, success is New Yorkers having more money in their pocket and just as many groceries on their table,” he added