New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a seder gathering at Union Square, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 6, 2026. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado
(New York, NY) – Mayor Zohran Mamdani says New York City will open five city-run grocery stores, one in each borough, as part of a plan aimed at lowering food costs.
Mamdani says the stores would offer a core basket of groceries priced 30 percent below typical retail levels. The first location is expected to open in 2027, with all five planned by the end of 2029.
Supporters say the plan could give families relief from high grocery prices and bring public competition into neighborhoods with limited affordable options.
Critics are pressing for details on funding, staffing, suppliers and whether the promised savings can last without heavy subsidies. Those questions will shape how the proposal moves from campaign-style pledge to city operation.