Mayor Mamdani:Last year, I told New Yorkers: we would open city-owned grocery stores to take on the affordability crisis

[Passages]

Last edited Thu Apr 16, 2026, 04:09 PM - Edit history (1)

Today, we're delivering five stores — one in each borough — with the first opening next year. We're building a city where people can afford the basics, leave survival mode behind, and pursue their dreams.

Here's to healthy families, thriving communities, and promises kept.

Link to tweet

On edit:

Considering some replies, there seems to be some confusion regarding city-owned grocery stores and their
function/purpose and benefits.

More info here:

How City-Owned Grocery Stores Can Tackle Food Insecurity

https://inequality.org/article/how-city-owned-grocery-stores-can-tackle-food-insecurity/

[mr715]

1. Huh. So... he's... delivering on promises?

Wow.

That is cool.

I wish I was back in my home town.

[Glaisne]

48. Promises made promises kept baby!

Take that MAGA!

[lindysalsagal]

2. Non-profit social services. Great. Hope that reaches into healthcare, too.

I'd like to see non-profit urgent-care types of clinics with docs on salary for routine things like scrapes and ear infections and high blood pressure and diabetes.

[JI7]

4. Which doctors would work those jobs ?

[PatrickforB]

6. I think we might be surprised. It has long been contended by Wall Street financiers that

America's healthcare system is the 'best in the world,' and apologists for the current profit-driven healthcare system say that doctors can't make any money in a universal healthcare system.

But as a consumer of healthcare services, I must confess that I feel much more comfortable seeing a doctor who got into it because he or she wants to cure people as opposed to someone who got into it for the money.

This is the problem with our shareholder primacy version of capitalism. It assumes people's sole motivation is money, but in the twelve years I served as a career guidance counselor (and I have the right to use the word 'counselor'), by far the majority of people I counseled were motivated by existential meaning as opposed to money.

Now, money is important, sure. I mean, let's not be stupid. We need $X per month to make ends meet. But beyond that, the important things that emerge are work/life balance and this sense of meaning derived from work.

I think there would be many who would eagerly accept such posts because our medical people are constantly frustrated at the administrative burden of third party payment, and the beancounters second guessing them to maximize profits or retained earnings. The profit motive is, after all, in direct conflict with the interests of the patient, and certainly the desires and motivations of the direct providers like doctors and nurses.

[Passages]

12. I agree 100%. Great post.

[JI7]

15. But aren't they already having trouble getting doctors to open up in rural

and other underserved and poor areas ?

I think any public non profit would still need to offer competitive pay to get the doctors to work there. I don't really have a problem with this.

[Festivito]

18. Being paid decently is an incentive.

Sure, american doctors can charge five thousand dollars for a one thousand dollar procedure. They can end up not being paid for thirty percent of the procedures. Then, they can't do as many procedures, because they have to spend so much time arguing with insurance companies.

The end result is canadian doctors end up getting a little less money, but more time on the golf course instead of on the phone.

Sure, they can come to america and set up in a ritzy neighborhood. But then they have to spend more on their house and trying to keep up with their snooty neighbors.

It really ends up being a choice between golf and a phone.

[PatrickforB]

19. Well, Mamdani is in New York City, and the urban areas are generally well supplied with

hospitals, ambulatory care centers and residential nursing centers.

There are a number of factors hurting healthcare staffing levels in rural settings. First is the heavy student debt load for doctors. According to Educationdata.org,

As of late 2025, the average medical school debt for new graduates is approximately $216,659 to $234,597. When including undergraduate loans, total debt often approaches or exceeds $246,000. Approximately 70%–74% of medical students graduate with debt, with a median of $200,000 for medical school alone

.

Now that is nearly a mortgage payment. This, coupled with the fact that most medical providers in rural America get most of their revenue by billing Medicaid, the cuts in the so-called big beautiful bill are in the process of forcing many rural healthcare organizations to close. Not because of no need but because of financial pressures imposed by predatory student debt and Wall Street's insatiable quest for shareholder profits in healthcare insurance, for profit providers and big pharma.

This is a serious issue that is exacerbated by the Citizens United ruling and the corporate corruption that has bought much of our Congress. The Republicans don't even pretend to care about this, and many of the institutional Democrats will not move on the issue for fear of primary opponents heavily funded by the lobbies. Dollars are the 'voice' of corporations, which are people according to our current policy structure.

Now, with $39 trillion in national debt incurred mostly by Republicans, the US government has been declared insolvent. This is because of the Chicago School trickle down economic theory which Reagan took to the White House in 1981. When he took power, and Congress started slashing taxes for corporations, the narrative was that lower taxes would stimulate corporations to create more jobs, and the payroll tax contributions of the new workers would more than offset the permanently lowered corporate tax rates.

Thus, we see, if we think critically about this for a moment, that the burden of funding our government, ostensibly 'of, by and for' the people, has moved from 1970s levels, when corporations contributed around 35% of the tax revenue and individual taxpayers like us paid in around 45%. Now, individual taxpayers pay in around 85% and corporations only 9%.

So we see that the government, due to corporate corruption, no longer collects enough money to fund programs that actually help working Americans at their kitchen tables. This is why Trump thinks we can afford a billion a day on a war of choice while cutting services for us right and left.

This problem could by solved by:
- Taxing billionaires out of existance
- Raising taxes on corporations back to 1970 levels
- Changing the rules of corporate governance to a stakeholder model rather than holding profits above all else

This is why I like Mamdani so much. He is thinking outside the box to solve this Wall Street problem because he has essentially 'nationalized' the food store industry.

And don't be fooled when our corporate owned media and the Republicans call him a commie. Wall Street has a long history of driving imperialistic behavior on the part of our government. We have gone into a number of countries that tried to nationalize industries so they could give their people a fair shake, and done regime changes. Take Iran in 1953, for example. Our CIA put Pahlavi in power because the democratically elected ruler of Iran wanted to nationalize industries. Can't have that!

We did the same thing with a number of countries in central and south America as well as the Pacific Rim. This is called imperialism and the American Empire was in there slugging starting in the 19th century. After we took over the British Raj in 1946, it took less than 20 years for the military industrial complex (MIC) Ike warned us about in his Guns and Butter speech in the early sixties to take over. After the assassination of JFK in 1963, they got LBJ to send 500K Americans over to Vietnam. The motive for the MIC, of course, was profits, and the government spent today's equivalent of nearly a trillion dollars on that war. 58,000 American kids were killed, and 3.2 million Vietnamese dies.

Again, this is what imperialism and shareholder primacy capitalism looks like. This is why the 1971 essay known as the Powell Manifesto called for the Republicans to take over the political nomination process. The purpose there was to send candidates to local, state and national elections that would vote in favor of business interests, i.e. tax cuts, deregulation, privatization and gutting any government programs besides defense and national security.

This is what we have. AOC, Bernie, Mamdani and other progressives know this and this is why they are all reported on by the corporate media as being 'far left radical' or 'far left liberal.' They are not. Wall Street just doesn't like them.

I'll leave you with a joke from the old Soviet Union: A Russian and an American were talking. The American commented on how sophisticated the Soviet propaganda apparatus was. The Russian replied, "Our system of propaganda is not nearly as sophisticated as yours!"

The American looked quizzically at the Russian and said, "What do you mean? We don't have propaganda here!"

The Russian smiled, and said, "See what I mean?"

[pat_k]

38. Absolutely! Additional considerations

I think that in most countries with a universal healthcare system physician education is heavily, and sometimes entirely subsidized, as a public investment. Becoming a doctor, surgeon, or other specialist does not require massive debt or family money.

In universal healthcare systems, you don't generally have the sort of high-cost medical malpractice insurance we have here. Other models, such a government-backed indemnity system or "no fault" type system increases the portion of earnings the physician actually keeps.

Salaries sure look good to me, particularly when you get to start your career without massive debt, and don't have to worry about managing billing and other administrative costs associated with practices and systems here. Here's a comparison from Physicians Weekly:
https://www.physiciansweekly.com/post/how-do-us-physician-salaries-compare-with-those-abroad

All-in-all, physicians in universal health care systems appear to be highly respected people who make a very, very good living without many of the stresses and headaches the practice of medicine involves here.

Undoubtedly, they have different headaches, but looks to me like they are very well-compensated for the job and lengthy investment of time in training.

[OldBaldy1701E]

49. But, nothing has stopped them from correcting this.

So, why are we still in that model?

Face it, there are more greedy medical people out there than anyone wants to admit.

We keep on acting like we want to address it. We just don't want to address the real issue causing it.

Which we won't do, because it would upset the very structure of our current societal model.

Which, despite the hand wringing I keep hearing, would do so much to correct the issues we are dealing with.

But, I am no one so who cares about what I think?

[NJCher]

53. Proprietary studies

show this is true.

I've worked for several Fortune 100 companies and they did employee studies trying to find out what was most important. Their interest was in retaining employees because it is expensive to hire and train new people.*

All the studies showed work life/balance was more important than money.

*which is why it pains so many of us to see trump and hegsbreath firing thousands of experienced federal government workers.

[leftstreet]

7. They'd get paid

the poster said "docs on salaries"

[MichMan]

54. Depends on what the salary is, doesn't it?

How much would the salary be?

$150,000? $1 million ?

[Jedi Guy]

14. It's not always about the money.

My wife is a chef and was making good money with Hello Fresh. She just took a new job (and a pay cut) with an outreach kitchen that serves the large homeless population in the downtown core of our city. She wanted a job that felt meaningful rather than more corporate bullshit day after day.

Some people are just wired that way.

[JI7]

16. I'm sure there might be a few . But being realistic

high salaries should still be something offered under non profits to get and keep doctors .

[Jedi Guy]

27. I don't disagree at all. Nonprofits don't always have the resources, unfortunately.

Skilled labor will generally go where the most money can be had. It might even be more true with doctors given the hideous debt many of them are carrying when they leave med school. They may want to help an underserved community but might not be able to afford losing the income to do so.

A good solution might be better government funding to help those kinds of nonprofits, but that money has to come from somewhere.

[yardwork]

11. That is a long-established model.

Community Health Centers run by community-based boards, with health care providers on salary, were established in the 1970s.

NYC has lots of them.

[IbogaProject]

37. NYC has a very robust clinic system

La Clinica Del Barrio was the first neighborhood clinic, it's up on 120th st off of 1st Ave in Spanish Harlem. The City Hospitals also have good clinics. Personally I like using them as many are part of medical training. I'm a type 1 diabetic in NYC and I've found care more stable with clinics than with private practices that switch what insurance the accept and issues with coverage when a Dr is on vacation.

[CTyankee]

3. European countries do this. We're late to the party, here...

[Passages]

5. We have been late for so long. It's great to see a shift.

[ColoringFool]

29. Late To Every Party, From World Wars To Healthcare To....

Pedestrian zones to universities to cuisine, etc.!

[llmart]

50. We seem to be late to the party quite often.

Our country as a whole has been fed a lie about how we're the greatest country on earth, so our collective hubris tells us we don't need to look to European countries for better ways to do things. We also tend to be much more short-sighted when it comes to policy. We need to learn to look "down the road" for solutions that aren't just workable in the short term, but that won't create worse situations for generations that follow.

[CTyankee]

52. I think some Americans have been awakened when/if they go to a European country (like on a cruise ship) and see what

folks have there in terms of health care. The Europeans think we are crazy for not having universal health care. And these Americans who have heard the lie that we have the BEST health care over and over again, are shocked when Europeans tell them that NO, they do NOT want our American health care system!

[leftstreet]

8. DURec

[Fil1957]

9. This is why there was so much opposition to Mamdami from the rich elite during the mayoral election. They weren't

bothered by the prospect of him failing. They were afraid he might succeed and show that government can strengthen the social safety net and actually help people.

This scares the shit out of the billionaires, 'cause these ideas could spread, and they would have to pay more taxes. Betsy DeVos might even have to sell one of her 10 yachts.

[Passages]

13. Exactly right. Their fear: the public at large seeing for themselves the success of these initiatives.

Then, their greater fear of these same people is that they will vote for a politician who will deliver for them.

[SheltieLover]

32. Precisely!

[Emile]

17. Damn shame Mamdani is ineligible to run for president.

[mr715]

22. He could be a Senator for life...

And he is young, so that'll be a while.

Plus he could be any number of powerful cabinet heads. In particular, I could see him at HHS, HUD, Transportation, Labor, or (in my dream world) State.

[MichMan]

20. Grocery store profit margins are historically very low

The savings from city owned stores is coming from no property taxes and no rent. I assume that the employees will be city employees with pretty decent pay and benefits.

It will be interesting to see just how much cheaper prices are. I'm not sure if the city plans to sell groceries under cost using taxpayer subsidies.

[reACTIONary]

23. I think its a form of....

.... performance art.

[Nittersing]

33. Not according to the article the OP linked to (not the tweet)

This has proven successful in a lot of other places.

[Ms. Toad]

25. Somehow Aldis seems to manage without property and rent relief.

Their prices are significantly below average - they could do even better if they didn't have rent and property taxes to cover.

[madville]

42. Private contractors will operate them

Also says that the private operators will be required to make zero profit on a list of basic staple items. Will be interesting to see how they will operate, the first time there’s rotten produce or bare shelves it will be plastered all over social media for sure.

[reACTIONary]

21. There are a little over 11,000 grocery stores ....

.... in NYC. So he is opening up five more? What good is that supposed to do? In a city with a population of 8.5 million these 5 stores are going to accomplish what?

[markpkessinger]

24. As a 43-year resident of NYC . . .

. . . let me respond to your questions.

First, this is a pilot program. If it works out as hoped, it will be expanded upon.

Second, according to the NY Post (which is hardly a fan of Mamdani), as of April 2026, there are approximately 5,673 grocery stores. However, about 85% of that number consists of small, bodega-style shops, which are fine if you need to grab a quart of milk or a six pack of beer, but not so good for serious food shopping (they are often especially lacking in fresh produce).the stores are going up in neighborhoods that are currently food deserts.

Third, the five stores are going up in neighborhoods that are currently food deserts -- and yes, those exist in NYC! In a city where the majority of residents don't drive, having a decent grocery store within a reasonable walking distance of one's home is a big deal.

I don't know if this program will be a success or not , and neither does anyone else. But I think most New Yorkers appreciate that our mayor is willing to be a little creative in trying to address issues of affordability, and we're willing to be patient as he tries some new approaches!

[leftstreet]

26. +1

[Ritabert]

28. Thanks for the info.

[reACTIONary]

30. What, in your understanding, would constitute success? And..

... if successful, how and to what extent would that be scaled?

FYI, I originally had the 5K count in my post from a (coughs) FB page. But I found an official NY state site and, if it classifies correctly, there are over 11K food retailers licensed in NYC.

[markpkessinger]

40. Whether it's 5,000 or 11,000 . . .

. . . the fact remains that great majority of them are small, corner bodegas, and don't carry a large enough inventory to meet anyone's regular food shopping needs.

[reACTIONary]

44. Yes, and I can't be certain what the state of NY....

....considers a food retailer

Since you are a NYC resident, how do you handle this situation?

[orangecrush]

47. Great answer

[Passages]

31. How City-Owned Grocery Stores Can Tackle Food Insecurity

https://inequality.org/article/how-city-owned-grocery-stores-can-tackle-food-insecurity/

[WhiskeyGrinder]

36. The point is not adding stores at this time; it's showing how city-owned stores might work.

When the city runs a retail outlet, it can offer lower prices and put it in an area that a private company with a profit motive might not touch.

[madville]

43. The city won't be running it

They are going to bid out contracts for private operators to staff and run them, they’ll be “city owned”, not city operated.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

46. yeah I misspoke

[Rebl2]

34. Tried that

in Kansas City, Mo and didn’t work out very well. Maybe NY will have better luck.

[gulliver]

39. Is there a PDF or web page with complete details?

I'm assuming there is a detailed plan since we arrived at a figure of $30 million. That number had to come from somewhere. If it were just an estimate from a couple of PowerPoint slides, I'm sure the media would have caught it.

Does anyone know where the detailed plan is? I'd like to at least feed it to Chat GPT and see what it thinks.

[Shipwack]

51. Here you go

From DUer Passages, upstream.

https://inequality.org/article/how-city-owned-grocery-stores-can-tackle-food-insecurity/