'Wasteful distraction': Experts slam Mamdani's taxpayer-funded grocery stores

Plans for city-owned grocery stores aim to lower food costs by opening city-backed supermarkets across New York City. The first store is expected in 2027 in the Bronx at Hunts Point as part of a larger redevelopment project that includes affordable housing, public open space, light industrial space, community facilities, and a 20,000-square-foot grocery market. Economists and local business owners warn the public support could undermine small grocers that rely on private funding. They argue that private-sector partnerships and existing assistance programs could address affordability more efficiently. Critics also contend the proposal would sacrifice public land and potential revenue while requiring substantial taxpayer subsidies.

"The initiative, a key Mamdani campaign pledge, would establish city-backed supermarkets across the city in an effort to lower food costs. The first location is expected to open in 2027 in the Bronx neighborhood of Hunts Point as part of The Peninsula redevelopment project at the former Spofford Juvenile Detention Facility, according to the mayor's office."

"Lehodey also warned the city-backed stores could put small neighborhood grocers at a disadvantage because the projects would receive public support that private businesses do not. "Yeah, the prices might be a little bit cheaper, but that comes at the cost of other businesses running sustainable operations," he said."

"He argued the city is also sacrificing valuable public land and potential revenue by subsidizing the projects. "That land"

"Adam Lehodey of the Manhattan Institute believes the city could address food affordability more efficiently through private-sector partnerships and existing assistance programs rather than operating grocery stores itself. "I think really it's a distraction and a pretty wasteful distraction," Lehodey told Fox News Digital. "There's an easier and better way to solve the problem.""

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