Better than Food Stamps? No proof of ID or low income needed . . .

Photo above: Coming to America? Russia has been phasing out state-run supermarkets. Mayor Mamdani thinks they could be the future of New York City

I have prayed for something like this my entire life. A government run supermarket with low-low prices which can’t be matched by Kroger, Target, or Piggly Wiggly (my local fave). As long as they don’t have those anti-theft wheel locks on the shopping carts, I’m in.

But I’m probably NOT moving to New York City to take advantage of their new plan. Mayor Mamdani, pivoting from his wife’s history of racist and antisemitic social media posts, has announced the opening of one official city run supermarket in each of the city's 7 boroughs. (see link below)

I have no doubt that certain blocks of NYC are a food desert. Even if they are a teeming jungle of liquor stores, nightclubs, and corner drug sales. Supermarket chains seem to be unreasonably picky about their neighbors. They prefer banks, pharmacies, and laundromats. So Mamdani’s plan to bring fresh produce to the masses isn’t a bad idea, on first look.

The inaugural location will be an abandoned “La Marqueta” store. Uncertain if the city-run chain will be rebranded consistently under something like “People's Democratic Republic of Fruits and Vegetables”.

I endorse what has Mamdani has disclosed so far. But the devil is usually in the details. Cashiers and baggers will probably need to be unionized municipal workers, with eye popping hourly pay, pensions, and health benefits. Hopefully the NYC sales tax (currently 8.875%) will not apply to city run grocery store purchases. Will credit cards be accepted without fees? Things like that.

In any case, government owned and operated grocery stores can probably expect a migration of shoppers from remaining supermarkets from Aldi and Zabar, to take advantage of these low-low prices. Which might reduce the sales and revenue at the surviving NYC supermarkets. Which might lead to further closures and vacant storefronts. Would this be called a vicious circle, or a negative feedback loop? In any case, this hasn't actually happened yet, so let's not go negative yet.

I hope New Yawkers appreciate and take full advantage of their taxpayer subsidized groceries. They won’t need ID, and there's no income eligibility hurdle. Win-win, for shoppers, whether they are citizens, visa holders, or otherwise.

Won’t somebody please think of los niños, and applaud this while it lasts?

I’m just sayin’ . . .

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/new-york-city/mamdani-grocery-store-city-owned-locations-la-marqueta-harlem/6489675/

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SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

Which might reduce the sales and revenue at the surviving NYC supermarkets. Which might lead to further closures and vacant storefronts.

It might do as an unintended consequence. But let's deal with one issue at a time. Local government is entering the retail sector to compensate for a failure by the private sector to supply affordable groceries to all citizens. It is explicitly not competing with other providers or controlling prices (as per Soviet Russia).

SusanInFlorida · 31-35, F

@SunshineGirl if mamadani groceries are subsidized by taxpayers, and below the cost of legitimate grocery stores that DO pay taxes, then this is direct competition with the private sector.

whats next? government owned car assembly lines? official state-manufactured smartphones?

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

@SusanInFlorida If "competition" is a concern, charge the enterprise the same taxes (and heap further cost upon the taxpayer). Supermarkets in food deserts are not in direct competition because the private sector has already capitulated, hence the problem. There is nothing to stop the private sector from stepping up and serving everyone, thereby rendering public intervention unnecessary.

It depends how you view the situation. NYC has identified a major social problem (the unavailability of affordable groceries having a disproportionate economic and social impact on the poorest section of society.) When/if you recognise what a serious problem this is, you will aee that NYC's response is reasonable and innovative. If, however, you believe the primary/sole purpose of the grocery industry is to turn a profit, you are likely to be less sympathetic.

There is no analogy with cars or phones, unless you think these commodities are as essential to everyday life as food security.

SusanInFlorida · 31-35, F

@SunshineGirl all corporations (for profit enterprises) should pay the same tax rates (income and property taxes). no tax breaks because you build windmills or own a thousand public EV charging stations.

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

@SusanInFlorida Agreed, but I think the proposed government-run supermarkets are explicitly not-for-profit . . .